Buccaneers RB Graham could be out for season

Nov 17, 2008 - 5:59 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham likely is done for the season.

Graham suffered an ankle injury on his first carry in Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings.

On Monday, Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said he does not expect to see Graham back on the field this season.

"Earnest Graham's ankle looks to be a serious injury, and his status for the rest of the season is very much in question," Gruden said, adding that linebacker Geno Hayes suffered a knee injury that could jeopardize his season as well.

"I don't know the medical terms, but right now it doesn't look like he (Graham) will play anytime soon. We'll get the final results in the next couple of hours."

Warrick Dunn, whose status for Sunday's game was in question due to a back injury, replaced Graham and rushed for 53 yards on 20 carries. He also had four receptions for 65 yards.

Graham had rushed for 563 yards and four touchdowns on 132 carries this season. He ran for 898 yards and 10 TDs in 2007 following a season-ending injury to Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.

"I'm just very disappointed for Earnest. He means a lot to us," Gruden said. "He's done so much for us here in the last couple years. He's a key reason why we are where we are. We'll have to make some adjustments, obviously."

Ironically, Williams could be among the players - along with Dunn and fullback B.J. Askew - in line to replace Graham. He was activated from the physically unable to perform list last week but was inactive for Sunday's game.

The fifth overall pick in the 2005 draft, Williams was named the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns. He has not played since tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee on September 30, 2007.

"We brought Cadillac up with the understanding that he's ready to go," Gruden said. "He's a workhorse-type back and that's what we've been trying to bring him back to, not just a situational runner but an every-down workhorse-type back. But I think his stamina will continue to be evaluated and we'll just let you know."