The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed defensive end Adrian Clayborn on injured reserve Monday, one day after he hurt his knee during the team's loss at Dallas.
Clayborn, Tampa Bay's first-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Cowboys. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the 24-year-old tore a ligament in his knee and would need season-ending surgery.
The 20th overall choice of the 2011 draft, Clayborn has started all 19 games for the Buccaneers since entering the league and topped Tampa Bay with 7 1/2 sacks while recording 54 tackles during a solid rookie season. The Iowa product's sack total was the second-highest by a rookie in team history.
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