TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will finish the season on injured reserve, coach Lovie Smith said Monday.
McCoy suffered a sprained knee in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Smith said McCoy's injury will not require surgery. McCoy ends the season with 8.5 sacks and 35 tackles.
"We're not going to be the same without Gerald," Smith said. "No team would be."
Fellow starting defensive tackle Clinton McDonald also has been sidelined by a hamstring injury. That means more playing time for Akeem Spence and Da'Quan Bowers.
Rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (back) and wide receiver Louis Murphy (ankle) also will be placed on injured reserve, Smith said.
Seferian-Jenkins appeared in nine games and had 21 catches for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Murphy had 31 catches for 380 yards and two touchdowns.
