McCoy's injury could be minor Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 10 October 2011 With Gerald McCoy writhing on the ground in agony on the soft grass of Candlestick Park, the Buccaneers had every reason to fear the worst Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay's second-year defensive tackle clutched his tender left ankle late in the opening quarter after his leg was caught under a pile on Frank Gore's 4-yard run off right guard. A few tense minutes later, McCoy was helped off the field as concerned teammates watched him hobble to the sidelines. Although McCoy wasn't in Tampa Bay's locker room after a humbling 48-3 loss to the surging 49ers, several teammates indicated the injury might be relatively minor. "Until he gets back, I trust that (reserve defensive tackles) Frank Okam and Roy Miller will step up,'' guard Davin Joseph said. "I'm just happy it's not worse than what it is.'' Okam, who saw extensive playing time after McCoy was sidelined, said Tampa Bay's first-round draft pick in 2010 did not appear to be in distress after the game. "I feel bad for a fallen comrade,'' second-year defensive tackle Brian Price said. McCoy will require further evaluation, coach Raheem Morris said. "I'm not sure,'' Morris said when asked about the extent of McCoy's injury. "I'll look at all that stuff when we get back. I know he didn't return to the football game, so we'll have to see.'' McCoy's teammates expressed concern about the ankle injury while wishing him a speedy recovery. "I hope he's good because he's definitely a big part of this defense,'' said Miller. "He's a weapon and we need him back quickly.'' McCoy and the rest of the Bucs' young defensive linemen began to assert themselves in recent weeks. McCoy recorded a sack, three tackles for loss and 10 pressures the previous two games, victories against Atlanta and Indianapolis. McCoy was just starting to play well as a rookie last year when a biceps injury sidelined him for the final three games. "If there's one thing that's consistent in this game, it's injuries,'' running back Earnest Graham said. "It has to be next man up around here, because you're not going to stop injuries in pro football. The game's too physical. For however long No. 93 is out, we have to respond.'' As the Bucs prepared to board their charter flight home to Tampa on Sunday evening, McCoy's prognosis weighed heavily on their minds. "I hope McCoy's good to go soon,'' tackle Donald Penn said. "The guy's been playing real good football for us and we need him back.''