Adrian Clayborn injury: Loss is more than just on the field

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 12: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on August 12, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty…
Photographer: Peter Aiken/Getty Images
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Posted: 09/25/2012

By: Steven Godfrey

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't mincing words about the impact of losing defensive end Adrian Clayborn for the season. The game-changing lineman is lost for the 2012 season with a knee injury ( courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times ):

"A.C. brought a style to this defensive line that nobody could bring," George Johnson said. "Nobody can really match his intensity. The only thing we can try to do is replicate what he does best."

Now Johnson, largely a practice squad player who has only appeared in four NFL games, will try and fill the gap along with Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, signed from the Eagles last season and Clayborn's in-game replacement against the Cowboys on Sunday

"Daniel is a very impressive player, a third-round pick that just needed the opportunity," said DE Michael Bennett. "Every time he gets that opportunity, he makes a couple plays - that's what we need. George is a guy who really works hard, wants to get a chance, when he gets his chance I believe he'll capitalize on his opportunity. He's a guy who really studies his film, and knows how to play at this level."

Between the pair, Te'o-Nesheim and Johnson had a total of five game appearances before Clayborn's injury.

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