The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed defensive end Adrian Clayborn on Injured Reserve Monday, according to the team’s press release. Clayborn injured his right knee in Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, 16-10.
Clayborn started the first three games of the 2012 season for the Buccaneers. The team’s first-round draft pick (20th overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft, Clayborn started all 16 games at right defensive end last season, where he led the team with 7.5 sacks, 26 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles and 54 tackles (four for loss).
Photo Credit: Buccaneers.com
His 7.5 sacks ranked as the second-most sacks by a rookie in Buccaneers’ history, and placed him second among rookie defensive linemen and fourth among all league rookies in that category.
The Bucs’ second-round selection from last season, defensive end Da’Quan Bowers is on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, but will be able to practice after Week 6 of the 2012 campaign.
Bowers sustained a torn Achilles tendon in May, and according to Bucs’ general manager Mark Dominick, the defensive end is ahead of schedule and should be able to suit up before season’s end.
How do you think the absence of Claiborn will affect the Bucs in 2012? Let us know in thecomment section below.
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