Buccaneers place RB Graham, LB Hayes on IR

Nov 19, 2008 - 10:58 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday placed running back Earnest Graham and rookie linebacker Geno Hayes on season-ending injured reserve.

Graham suffered an ankle injury on his first carry in Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings. Hayes injured a knee in the same contest.

To replace the duo, the Bucs signed running back Noah Herron and linebacker Matt McCoy on Wednesday.

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.

"It's a big loss for us," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said. "It was a big loss when we lost Carnell Williams. Fortunately, Earnest Graham stepped up. Now someone else will have to step up. Tomorrow's the day we really examine that phase of our attack."

Warrick Dunn, whose status for last weekend'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.

"Warrick's got the ability to play in every situation," Gruden said. "He relishes this time, I think (in) big games. He knows the team needs him to step up."

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.

Williams practiced Wednesday but Gruden said it's too early to tell if he will play Sunday.

"I thought he did OK," Gruden said. "Again, I don't know that he'll play a major role in this game yet or not, or even if he'll be active. We signed Noah Herron, a guy we know can help us on special teams. But I think Cadillac practiced well."

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.

Hayes, a sixth-round pick, has played primarily on special teams, where he has registered seven tackles and a blocked punt that he returned for his first career touchdown.

Herron has appeared in 23 games in parts of three seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, rushing for 273 yards on 85 carries with three touchdowns. He also has 29 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

McCoy played three games for Tampa this season before he was released on October 18. In 33 career games, he has 86 tackles and three fumble recoveries.