TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has something to say to all those who believe he shouldn't be playing right now because of a bicep injury and the fact that, at 4-11, the Bucs are playing meaningless football.

Gerald McCoy won't sit out a "meaningless" game, even with an injury Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

"That's a loser's mindset," said the six-time Pro Bowler, who's also the franchise's highest-paid player. He played against the Carolina Panthers last week despite suffering a partially-torn bicep and will play Sunday in the season finale against the New Orleans Saints.

"That's a terrible mindset to have. Anybody who says that to me, I just think that's a losing mindset," McCoy said. "Regardless of what our record says, 'What do you mean, I ain't got nothing to play for? I've been working to be a professional athlete my entire life so you think that just because I've got a little pain that I'm not gonna play, because we're not going to the playoffs?"

"Come on man," McCoy said. "That's what suckers do and that's what losers do and I ain't neither one. I go out there and give it my all, regardless of what the record says, regardless of what people think I have to play for - I'm playing for something much bigger than wins and losses."

McCoy suffered the injury to his right bicep in Week 14 against the Detroit Lions, forcing him to miss the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He returned to action against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, recording his sixth sack of the season.

The concern for McCoy's arm is understandable. He suffered a torn bicep in his right arm his rookie season in 2010 and then torn his left bicep in 2011, having both surgically repaired. Despite soreness, McCoy doesn't believe he's at risk for further injuring it.

"A little pain? Man, whatever. If I can go, I'm going," I don't care what's at stake."

Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell has come under scrutiny for opting to suit up starting quarterback Matthew Stafford in Week 17 despite the Lions officially being out of the playoffs. Stafford has been sacked a career-high 45 times this year. Like Koetter, Caldwell is also on the hot seat, with an 8-7 record going into Week 17.

Caldwell told reporters, "I don't have to give you every single reason, but the fact of the matter is we get 16 opportunities, and we're going to go play it."

The Green Bay Packers shut down starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the year. He'd missed the majority of the season due to a broken collarbone, and once the Packers were eliminated from the playoffs, they deemed that it wasn't worth the risk.

McCoy plays a different position than Stafford and Rodgers, but he is the Bucs' highest-paid player, earning nearly $16 million per season with the entire value of his contract at $95.2 million. He is also just five players in Bucs' history to reach the Pro Bowl six or more times, so his value can't be overstated.

"I love to play this game, any team I'm on. I love this team, I love this city, this city has embraced me, regardless of the few people who say terrible stuff about me - oh well, I'm not worried about the," McCoy said. "But this city has really embraced me and they deserve a winner. And I play and give it my all for this city and this team for the guys around me. I'm always gonna be that way, regardless of what we're playing for, what people think we're playing for. I don't care. I'm gonna give it everything I got."