Two days after being carted off the field against the Ravens and a day after Raiders coach Jon Gruden indicated he’d suffered a “long-term” knee injury, veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is headed to injured reserve with his second season-ending injury in as many years. That’s according to ESPN and NFL Network, which reported Wednesday that the 33-year-old lineman is set to be replaced on the 53-man roster by ex-Chargers reserve Damion Square, signed off L.A.’s practice squad this week.
A six-time Pro Bowler, McCoy signed with the Raiders in early August and figured to serve a prominent role along Las Vegas’ defensive line this year. The former Buccaneers star entered Week 1 listed as a co-starter at defensive tackle alongside Solomon Thomas and Quinton Jefferson. He played just nine snaps against Baltimore, however, before exiting early.
McCoy previously missed all of 2020 after suffering a ruptured quadriceps in training camp with the Cowboys. Prior to that, the former first-round pick played a full season with the Panthers and spent another nine in Tampa Bay, where he started his career. From 2010-2019, he missed more than three games just once, in 2011.
In McCoy’s absence, the Raiders are expected to lean on Square as a rotational backup behind Thomas and Jefferson alongside veteran interior man Johnathan Hankins.
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