Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade Aqib Talib to New England Patriots

The trade deadline came and went - and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were down a player. The Bucs have traded star cornerback Aqib Talib to the New England Patriots.

Buccaneers cornerback Eric Wright's suspension likely weeks away as NFL hears appeal

Tampa Bay Buccaneers will welcome back Aqib Talib after suspension

Aqib Talib filed appeal to suspension, then withdrew it

According to Pro Football Talk, Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib initially decided to appeal his suspension, before withdrawing it. In a statement, Talib claimed that he would not appeal his suspension because he wanted to be held immediately accountable:

I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation I put myself in, which is why I will not exercise my appeal rights and will begin serving the suspension immediately."

It's not clear why Talib withdrew his appeal, although his chances of success would have been minimal. Without a subscription or a waiver to use Adderall, the league would have had no reason to lift the suspension. An appeal could have allowed Talib to play this week before his suspension would take effect. That would have seen him miss the San Diego Chargers game, where he would be sorely missed, while the Bucs won't miss him as much against the run-heavy Kansas City Chiefs.

Aqib Talib Suspended Four Games For Performance Enhancing Drugs