The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed linebacker Quincy Black on injured reserve Tuesday, bringing his 2012 season to an early end.
Black was taken off the field Sunday at Raymond James Stadium by cart after he suffered an injury in a collision with San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews. Buccaneers Head Coach Greg Schiano said on Monday that Black had no damage to his spine and that he believed the sixth-year linebacker would be okay. However, Black is currently dealing with complications from the injury involving his left arm.
The Buccaneers did not immediately fill the roster vacancy created by Black's move to I.R. but are likely to do so before beginning their week of practice on Wednesday.
Black was Tampa Bay's starting strongside linebacker in 2012, as he was in the previous three seasons. This year, he played in all nine games and recorded 32 tackles, three tackles for loss and one fumble recovery, while also contributing three stops on special teams. Since joining Tampa Bay as a third-round draft pick (68th overall) in 2007, Black has recorded 299 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, 13 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 62 special teams stops.
Black is the seventh player to land on Tampa Bay's injured reserve list this year. He joins three other starters in that group, as the Bucs previously lost Pro Bowl guards Davin Joseph and Carl Nicks as well as 2011 sack leader Adrian Clayborn to season-ending injuries.
