The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stormed into San Diego looking to build upon their three-game win streak, and take first place in the NFC South. This almost seemed unimaginable in September, after losing three games in a row and being outscored 104-46.

Fans and commentators alike felt as if the Bucs were heading back down the road of the 2015 season with a 6-10 record and a dismal fourth-place finish in 2015. Frustration was building and patience with quarterback Jameis Winston was waning. A glimmer of hope did emerge though, as momentum seemed to shift their way as they downed the Bears, Chiefs and Seahawks back to back. Things were looking up for Tampa, right up until last Sunday. Jameis Winston had just connected with wide receiver Cecil Shorts, III on a third and nine when Shorts took a gruesome hit from Chargers Safety Jahleel Addae to the lower leg.

The hit was so hard that Shorts went airborne and landed on his shoulder and neck. As he laid on the field awaiting the cart, it was clear that this was very serious injury, and that he would be out for the rest of the season. Shorts dislocated his knee, tore his ACL, PCL and MCL.

Dr. Kenneth G. Swan, Jr., one of our sports medicine specialists, also serves as team physician for Woodbridge Township School District and Perth Amboy public schools discussed the injury, multiple surgeries and the long road ahead that Cecil faces to return to the field of play next year in the playoffs.

We have partnered with WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM to bring you the weekly Football Injury Update, a recap of the top injuries across the NFL with our doctors providing their expert medical opinion on the injury, treatment options and prognosis to return to the field of play. The Football Injury Update will air each Thursday and Friday on Mike Francesa’s show between 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.