Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy inactive vs. Falcons

Gerald McCoy is listed as inactive for the Buccaneers in their Week 13 game.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to play all subs on their defensive line now that All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is inactive for their Week 13 game versus the Atlanta Falcons. Henry Melton will likely start in place of arguably the best player on the Buccaneers on Sunday.

This is tough news for the Buccaneers as they essentially playing a win or go home game against the Falcons. Tampa Bay is a game back of the second NFC Wild Card spot at 5-6. Atlanta is 6-5, but have lost their last four games and five of their last six. The Falcons have already lost to Tampa Bay earlier this season at the Georgia Dome and can’t afford to lose the seasonal tiebreaker to the Bucs in 2015.

McCoy has dealt with a hand injury, having to undergo a procedure this past week. His inactivity from today’s games isn’t shocking in the least, but his absence from the Buccaneers’ front seven will certainly be felt.

Falcons starting quarterback Matt Ryan should have more time to deliver strikes downfield without McCoy perpetually collapsing the Falcons’ interior offensive line in this game. The Falcons also get back starting running back in Devonta Freeman, which could help the Falcons in their running game. Not having an all-around stud up the middle in McCoy hurts the Buccaneers considerably.

While Ryan has been a turnover machine in recent weeks, not having the persistent interior pressure of McCoy alters head coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s scheme on Sunday. If Ryan has time to complete his patented medium-to-long passes, this could be a long day for the Buccaneers defense that will be without its best player in McCoy.