The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost edge rusher Yaya Diaby to a knee injury during Sunday's 16-0 shutout of the Atlanta Falcons, and the latest reports indicate he could miss multiple games.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Diaby suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain and is expected to miss time, although a return within a matter of weeks is possible. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Monday that Diaby sprained his MCL and said he hopes he will avoid injured reserve.
Diaby exited in the first quarter and did not return to the Week 8 contest. The official NFL gamebook shows he played just seven of Tampa Bay's 53 defensive snaps (13%), forcing the Buccaneers to adjust their edge rotation.
Rookie Rueben Bain Jr. led the group with 35 snaps (66%), followed
by David Walker with 25 (47%), Al-Quadin Muhammad with 23 (43%), and Anthony Nelson with 16 (30%).
The injury interrupts Diaby's momentum after he recorded three sacks for 21 lost yards against Carolina in Week 7. Tampa Bay managed to shut out Atlanta without recording a sack, relying instead on four interceptions from Michael Penix Jr.
Diaby's potential absence creates an opportunity for Walker, who leads Tampa Bay with four sacks, and Bain to take on additional responsibilities. The Buccaneers face Chicago in Week 9 before their bye, giving them an extra week to recover before their next game.
No official return date has been announced.
Week 8 edge-rusher snap counts (53 defensive snaps)
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers' Yaya Diaby suffers Grade 2 MCL sprain
