Surgery Deemed a Success on Da'Quan's Achilles

Today, at The Baptist Hospital in Coral Gables, FL, Tampa Bay Bucccaneers team doctor Dr. John Zvijac, along with Dr. Thomas San Giovanni, successfully repaired the ruptured achilles tendon of Tampa Bay Bucs DE Da'Quan Bowers.  Bowers himself took to Twitter, and proclaimed "Smooth sailing" after the procedure was performed.  Yesterday, shortly after the injury occured, Bowers also stated via Twitter "2013?? Get real...I'm playing THIS year 2012".  If Da'Quan plans to do so, he has a long, tough road of hard work and dedication ahead of him.  Rehabilitation will be grueling and strenuous to say the least.  Especially if he wants to play during 2012.

In the meantime, The Bucs do not have to rush to any kind of judgement as far as Da'Quan's roster status goes.  There are still 3 months left before the start of training camp, and no roster decisions have to be made by that time.  By the time a decision is due, the Bucs will have a pretty good feel about how to treat this matter.  They'll have to decide one of two things; put Bowers on Injured Reserve, which would end his season all-together and keep him ineligible from playing in 2012, or, place him on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) which would allow him to remain on the roster through training camp.  If the Bucs feel that he can play before the end of this season, and they feel that its the best decision for Bowers, they can then place him on the regular season Reserve/PUP list.  Doing so would allow him to not count against our 53 man roster, until the completion of week 6.  He will be allowed to practice with the team until then.  After that time, he would either have to be activated to the regular 53-man roster, or then be placed on injured reserve, which again, would end his hopes for playing this season. 

Dr. Thomas San Giovanni

Da'Quan has high hopes of playing this season.  We here at BuccaneerTalk.com hope that he does not rush the decision, and also be honest with team doctors when they evaluate his achilles while deciding if its safe for him to return to action.  Best case scenario, Bowers returns and finds a way to contribute to this season.  Worst case scenario, he's lost for the season.  But looking at that scenario with the cup half full approach, losing this season might not be that bad for Bowers.  It gives his surgically repaired knee (which was the talk of the town during last year's draft) another year to heal, and it saves his body from a season of wear and tear.  This scenario may just add an extra season to this young man's career.  We here at BuccaneerTalk.com wish Da'Quan the best and will be behind him regardless of whatever decision is made regarding his future for this season.