The 2022 NFL season has not been kind to the Buccaneers, and it won't get any easier as linebacker Shaq Barrett will miss the rest of the year after tearing his Achilles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The injury occurred during the team's 27-22 loss on "Thursday Night Football" to the Ravens. He will be out for the next seven to nine months.
MRI confirmed that Bucs' LB Shaq Barrett suffered a torn Achilles last night and will be out the next 7-9 months, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 28, 2022
Barrett had to be carted off the field 12:13 remaining in the third quarter after hurting his ankle on a run by Ravens running back Gus Edwards. At the time of his removal from the game, he had registered three tackles for loss and a sack.
It's a massive blow to a team that already is depleted with injuries, especially on defense. Tampa Bay was without three of their starting secondary players against Baltimore, as Sean Murphy-Bunting, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Carlton Davis all missed the contest.
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The 29-year-old is in his fourth season with the Bucs and in the second year of a four-year, $72 million deal he signed with the team in 2021. Barrett ends the season with 31 total tackles, three sacks and six tackles for loss, which currently is tied for the team lead.
Shaq Barrett injury details
Following the Bucs' loss to the Ravens on Thursday, coach Todd Bowles stated that Barrett would be getting an MRI on his ankle Friday, but that it "doesn't look good" and he believed it was an Achilles tendon injury.
#Bucs star pass-rusher Shaq Barrett is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles based on the initial exam, source said. Coach Todd Bowles said it doesn’t look good and he’ll have an MRI tomorrow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 28, 2022
One source also told Schefter that there was a "real concern that he may have torn it."
Bucs’ LB Shaq Barrett is undergoing an MRI on his Achilles on Friday and, according to one source, “there is real concern that he may have torn it.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 28, 2022
The initial worries were validated, as on Friday, the tests came back and revealed that Barrett did have a torn Achilles and would be out for the remainder of the season.
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The loss of Barrett is yet another step in what has been an uphill battle this season in Tampa Bay. The team sits at 3-5 on the season and will now be without one of its best pass rushers.
With Barrett out, the Bucs will turn to Anthony Nelson and Genard Avery to take over reps at strongside linebacker.
