Gerald McCoy on hand injury: ‘You want to be smart’

Sep 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) comes back to the game with his hand taped but then left the game with the same hand injury during the first half against the St. Louis Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) comes back to the game with his hand taped but then left the game with the same hand injury during the first half against the St. Louis Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sunday was a bad day for the NFL in regards to play injuries. Offense. Defense. You name it and a marquee player suffered some sort of physical setback. One of those players was Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy whom broke his left hand in Sunday’s loss to the St. Louis Rams.

And while he’s expected to take the field Sunday when the Buccaneers take on the Atlanta Falcons, McCoy says he’ll be smart in how he manages the injury.

From the Tampa Bay Times:

"“We’re trying to figure out the best way to keep it protected,” McCoy said Tuesday. “Obviously, it’s better if I’m out there but still a long season.“It can always get worse. That’s the risk of going out there Thursday…time is very short this week, so not having a full week to recover is definitely working against me but I’m a fighter…Most of it is pain tolerance, but as much as you want to be out there, you also want to be smart.”"

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At 0-2, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to need every available player in order to turn their season around–McCoy is one of those players.

Coming off a season where McCoy tallied 50 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and a forced fumble, Tampa Bay is going to need him when they take on an Atlanta Falcons who are coming off a week in which the offensive line struggled in both facets (passing and running) of the game.

Of course, it’s going to take more than good defense to help the Bucs toward their first win–the Bucs offense is ranked 28th in the league going into Week 3. But McCoy’s presence is a huge helping and if he can remain healthy, there could be a chance the team turns the corner.

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