The hits have kept on coming for the Bucs less than 24 hours after their 9-0 loss to the Saints. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tampa Bay will be without special teams ace Pat O’Connor for the rest of the season. O’Connor is believed to have torn his PCL and partial MCL. Either way, the backup defensive tackle will be out for whatever remains of the Bucs season.

O’Connor had recently become a more critical part of the Bucs defensive rotation too, notching a season-high 15 snaps two weeks ago against the Falcons. He’d been effective too, with a tackle-for-loss and a sack in limited action. But O’Connor’s loss is greatest on special teams. The defensive lineman has been one of the Bucs top performers on kick coverage for years now. Unfortunately, O’Connor’s injury occurred while attempting to block a punt late in the loss to the Saints.

It’s uncertain how the Bucs will deal with O’Connor’s loss. His ability to play defensive line was a luxury on game days, so it isn’t automatic that Benning Potoa’e will be promoted to take his place. Tampa Bay could look to bring up their best special teamer from the practice squad, without much regard to position.