TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday learned that defensive tackle Anthony McFarland will be sidelined 6-8 weeks with a broken right forearm.
McFarland suffered the injury in the third quarter of Sunday's 12-9 win over Carolina while trying to tackle Panthers quarterback Randy Fasani.
Losing McFarland is a blow to the Bucs (6-2), who lead the NFL in total defense and allow just 10.6 points per game. The Bucs are expected to move Chartric Darby into the starting lineup.
"He'll be out, it looks like, six to eight weeks," said Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden at his regular Monday media news briefing. "That's a terrible blow for our football team, a terrible blow for the Buccaneers. We'll be optimistic that maybe he can return quicker than that."
McFarland, 24, a 1999 first-round pick out of Louisiana State, is a key member of the Bucs line, playing alongside perennial Pro Bowler Warren Sapp.
He has collected 19 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in eight games this season for the Bucs, who are tied with New Orleans for first-place in the NFC South.
McFarland emerged as a starter in his second season, registering 6 1/2 sacks in 16 starts. He had 3 1/2 sacks in 14 starts last season.
Tampa Bay also lost backup linebacker Ryan Nece, the son of Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, for the remainder of the season with a torn left ACL.
