Getty Images

The Buccaneers have a crucial game against the Falcons this Sunday and one of their best defensive players is dealing with a hand injury in the days leading up to the game.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy injured his left hand in last weekend’s loss to the Colts and hasn’t practiced this week after having what he described as a “small procedure.”

“I had an injury first half of the game, got it looked out, kept playing, was necessary to keep playing,” McCoy said, via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. “I had it looked at after the game, had a small procedure, and hopefully will be out there on Sunday.”

Auman reported McCoy kept his hands in the pockets of his sweatshirt while talking to the media about his injury. McCoy’s seven sacks lead the Bucs, who also practiced without defensive ends Jacquies Smith and George Johnson on Thursday.