AP

The Buccaneers will be trying to get to .500 against the Giants in Week Nine, but they’ll have to do it without the help of defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.

McDonald has been placed on injured reserve due to the pectoral injury he suffered in the team’s Week Seven loss to the Redskins. McDonald did not play against Atlanta last weekend and will now spend the rest of the year rehabbing ahead of a 2016 return to the lineup.

McDonald started the first six games of the season for Tampa and was a starter for them last season as well after signing as a free agent following three seasons with the Seahawks. His 31 tackles in those first six games were the most of any Tampa defensive lineman.

Akeem Spence got the start in McDonald’s absence last week and the Bucs have Henry Melton and Tony McDaniel on hand as other veteran options. They promoted defensive end Josh Shirley from the practice squad to take McDonald’s roster spot.