Bucs OLB Out For The Rest Of The Season

Bucs OLB Shaquil Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It didn’t look good when Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett left Thursday night’s game in the third quarter with an achilles injury. After an MRI on Friday, it was official that Barrett will be out for the rest of the season.

Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed as such the day after the game.

“He’s got an achilles (injury), he’ll be out for the rest of the year,” Bowles said. “Tough break for him. Anytime you lose a guy like that that commands double teams, it makes it harder for everybody else. He’s been consistent since he’s been here. He started out playing well last night. It’s a shame to see.”

Barrett was the best defensive player on the field for the Bucs in their lost 27-22 loss to the Ravens. He recorded four tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack before exiting early in the third quarter. Barrett finishes his season with 31 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the recovery time for this injury takes between seven and nine months. If it takes the full time, his return would come around August in training camp. Talking with Adam Schultz from The Score that Barrett also put on his instagram, he is already focused on a return.

“I’m good,” Barrett said. “I don’t feel any pain, so that’s good. It’s crazy because I didn’t feel that bad at all. Already thinking about my comeback!”

Bucs OLB Rotation Without Barrett

Without their best pass rusher, Bowles also confirmed that Anthony Nelson would be the new starting outside linebacker in replacement of Barrett on the opposite side of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. They will rotate Carl Nassib in as well.

Bucs OLB Carl Nassib – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Nelson has 13 tackles and 2 sacks already in eight games while Nassib has contributed too with 12 tackles, one sack and a pass breakup. Both players have already been playing a portion of each game.

“Nelson will start, but Carl will definitely play,” Bowles said. He’s been rotating in anyway.”

To round out the depth chart for Tampa Bay, they do have the veteran Genard Avery on the 53-man roster. He signed with the Bucs during the preseason and was on the practice squad to begin the season. They then brought him to the active roster during Week 6. He’s mainly played a special teams role.