On Tuesday, the Bucs announced they have place wide receiver Chris Godwin and defensive tackle Pat O’Connor on injured reserve. Godwin will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. He was the Bucs leader in catches and yards this season.
News broke yesterday that Bucs defensive lineman Pat O’Connor’s season was over after he suffered a knee injury in the team’s loss against New Orleans. However, it looks like that might not be the case. The Athletic’s Greg Auman is reporting O’Connor will not need surgery on his knee.
Bucs special-teams ace Pat O’Connor will not need surgery on his injured knee. Still out a few weeks, likely on injured reserve, but some chance he could return in playoffs.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 21, 2021
The fifth-year defensive lineman got a second opinion which provided a more positive prognosis. While he is still expected to be out a few weeks, there is a possibility he could return for the playoffs. ESPN’s Adam Schefter originally reported that O’Connor’s season was over.
An anchor on special teams, O’Connor has recently seen more snaps along the defensive line. He totaled 15 snaps against the Falcons in Week 14 and has four tackles, two quarterback hits and a sack on the season for the Bucs.