Gaines Adams, an All-American defensive end at Clemson whose career never blossomed in the NFL with Chicago and Tampa Bay, died yesterday after going into cardiac arrest. He was 26.

He died at Self Regional Hospital in Greenwood after going into cardiac arrest about an hour before at his family's home in Greenwood, S.C., said Marcia Kelley-Clark, chief deputy coroner for Greenwood County.

An autopsy showed an enlarged heart, a condition that can often lead to a heart attack, Kelley-Clark added. She said relatives were unaware of any medical condition.

Toxicology tests are being run by the State Law Enforcement Division, though drug use is not suspected. The results probably will not be available for at least two months, Kelley-Clark said.

Adams, 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, spent three seasons in the NFL, two with the Buccaneers and part of this season with the Bears.

"He was a true team player and a positive influence to everyone he met," Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris said.

Adams was selected fourth overall in the 2007 draft by Tampa Bay. He had not been able to live up to expectations that he would revive the Buccaneers' once-feared pass rush, and had just 17 tackles and one sack in 15 games -- 10 with Chicago -- this season. He was traded to the Bears in October for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft.

"Gaines was a quiet, humble kid and is far too young to be gone," Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber said. "He had so much potential that had yet to be achieved."

Buccaneers defensive tackle Chris Hovan said he took Gaines under his wing when he came to Tampa Bay.

"I considered him my little brother and that's how I will always remember him," he said. "This is all so unreal and it hasn't really hit me yet."

"Monday Night Football" analyst Jon Gruden drafted Adams in 2007 while coaching the Buccaneers. He called him a "great teammate" with a "tremendous future."

Tommy Bowden, Adams' coach at Clemson, was jolted by news of his death.

"I just couldn't believe it was Gaines," he said. "I will always remember the smile he had on his face and I will always remember his patience."

Wide receiver Pierre Garcon spent the week worrying about family members in Haiti after a devastating earthquake Tuesday. He has heard from some relatives, but many are still missing. The divisional playoff game against the Ravens provided a needed diversion for Garcon. He caught five passes for 34 yards in the Colts' 20-3 win Saturday night.

Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said Garcon was strong, both during the week and in the game. "He's one of those guys that, he doesn't get rattled very often," Caldwell said. "He's really had, I think, great, extraordinary focus. Obviously, the circumstances that he's dealing with are very, very difficult. For him to be able to come out and focus in on the ballgame and perform extremely well says a lot about him."

Safety Ed Reed is considering retirement after an injury-filled season. Reed, 31, missed four December games because of injuries, including problems with his neck, hip and groin. "I've been thinking about it, and it kind of hit me on the sidelines," he said Saturday after a 20-3 playoff loss to the Colts. "It's going to be a long offseason. It hurts. I am just thinking about it. I'm 50-50. I am going to re-evaluate things and see how it goes in the next couple of days."

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