Buccaneers place Austin Seferian-Jenkins on season-ending IR

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins' rookie season is over. The team announced Monday it will place Seferian-Jenkins on injured reserve with a back injury.

The injury isn't expected to require surgery or limit Seferian-Jenkins in the offseason. Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith told reporters the decision to put the rookie on IR was made because the season is nearly over. 

Seferian-Jenkins, a second-round pick in May's draft, caught 21 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns in nine games played.