Tampa Bay DT Gerald McCoy leaves with knee injury, but returns later in 1st quarter

DETROIT – Tampa Bay's Gerald McCoy left early in Sunday's game against Detroit with a knee injury, but he was able to return before the end of the first quarter.

It wasn't clear how the star defensive tackle hurt himself, but he pulled up near the end of a play during Detroit's opening drive and remained on the ground for a while. Teammates gathered around, some kneeling, before McCoy was able to get up and walk off mostly under his own power.

McCoy, in his fifth NFL season, has 27 career sacks. He recently signed a lucrative seven-year contract extension with the Buccaneers.

Detroit tight end Joseph Fauria also went down with an early injury Sunday, leaving with a left ankle problem.

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