Kendell Beckwith Underwent Surgery on Ankle Injury Suffered in Car Accident

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Kendell Beckwith had surgery on Tuesday to repair an ankle injury he suffered in a car accident last week.

Per NBC Sports' Josh Alper, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht announced Beckwith was traveling as a passenger in a car in Louisiana when the accident occurred. 

Per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Licht said Beckwith could miss the start of the regular season as he recovers. 

Beckwith was a third-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2017. The 23-year-old appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, making 11 starts, and finished fourth on the team with 73 total tackles. 

Depending on how long Beckwith is out of action, the Buccaneers may have to rely on their depth at linebacker to start the 2018 season.

Devante Bond, a sixth-round pick in 2016, could see a more prominent role on the defense after appearing in 14 games last season. Riley Bullough is also capable of taking on additional snaps after playing just three games in 2017.