Adrian Clayborn and Gerald McCoy have left the Bucs preseason game against the Patriots with undisclosed injuries. (Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE)

The Buccaneers started out strong against the New England Patriots, but things got sour very quickly as both Gerald McCoy and Adrian Clayborn have left the game and will not return due to injuries they suffered on the first and second drives of the game respectively.

McCoy exited the game ont he first drive on a play that saw Michael Bennett fly around the Patriots offensive line and drill Tom Brady’s blindside, forcing a fumble. It appeared though, that McCoy was cut block at the line of scrimmage as he immediately went to the ground and grasped at his knee. McCoy eventually walked off under his own power, and even returned on the next series, but was pulled from the game and sent to the locker room for further evaluation.

Clayborn went down on the next drive on a play that saw Mark Barron intercept Tom Brady and return it for a touchdown. Clayborn held his left arm and went promptly to the locker room for X-rays.

No further word has been announced on the status if either of the two players but Stephen Holder tweeted that Clayborn’s injury was cause for concern. McCoy has had a rash of injuries his first two seasons in the NFL and hasn’t finished a full one yet. If he misses time to begin 2012, it would mark the third straight year he’s missed games since being drafted.

We will have more word on the injuries to McCoy and Clayborn as we hear information.

UPDATE: Both McCoy and Clayborn have returned to the sidelines, but both remain out for the game. Still no diagnosis on the injuries.

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