Dashon Goldson has ankle surgery, out until training camp

Dashon Goldson has undergone ankle surgery which will keep him out until training camp, according to Ian Rapoport. The highly-paid safety doesn't appear to be in danger of missing part of the regular season, but the Bucs may want to add some depth at the safety position. Goldson is the team's starting free safety, and 2012 sixth-round pick Keith Tandy is the only backup the Bucs have at that position.

Dashon Goldson was signed to a five-year, $41.25 million contract in 2013 but failed to live up to that deal, serving a one-game suspension for repeated his to the head of defenseless receivers and being a participant in a few too many busted coverages. Those mental lapses were attributed to learning a new defensive system, which either means it's a temporary issue -- or something that will pop up again with a new defense under Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier.

While Goldson's overall play wasn't bad, it wasn't worth the high price the Bucs paid for the star safety, either. While his contract prevents them from cutting him this season, the Bucs may do well to look for a future replacement to groom behind Goldson, especially given this latest injury.