It is believed that Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has torn his biceps, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The injury would almost certainly end McCoy’s 2017 season.
In theory, one can play through a minor biceps tear without undergoing surgery. But, even if McCoy opts against surgery here, there’s little incentive for him to return to action between now and the end of the year. After Sunday’s loss to the Lions, the injury-riddled Bucs are 4-9 with zero hope of reaching the playoffs.
McCoy has been here twice before, suffering biceps tears in 2010 and 2011. Since then, McCoy has been largely healthy and exceptionally productive. He earned five straight Pro Bowl nods from 2012 through 2016 and also made First-Team All-Pro in 2013. Recovering from a biceps tear can be dreadful, but McCoy has proven that he can bounce back just fine.
Thanks to the seven-year, $95.2MM contract extension he signed with the Bucs in 2014, McCoy is slated to be back with the team in 2018 at a $12.75MM cap number.