Buccaneers RB Williams tears patellar tendon

Dec 29, 2008 - 5:34 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The news was better than expected for Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.

Williams suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders, but the injury is not as severe as last year's right knee injury that sidelined him 14 months.

"It's more of a tear off the bone, so the rehab process should be much easier," Williams told TBO.com on Monday.

The injury comes 15 months after Williams tore the patellar tendon in his right knee on September 30, 2007. He did not return to action until November 23 this season.

"All indications are he has a chance to be ready for training camp," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Monday. "It's a long road to recovery."

Williams told the web site he is frustrated by the latest injury, which occurred after he broke off a 28-yard run in the fourth quarter.

"It's tough," he said. "I was getting a few carries here and there and starting to feel like my old self again. My right knee, which is now my good knee, was feeling good. It's just a freak accident. I have no luck right now."

Williams had rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 37 yards. It was his highest rushing output since November 23, 2006.

"He scored a couple touchdowns, caught the ball out of backfield, showed elusiveness and swagger again," Gruden said. "For it to all end like that, it's just awful. It's probably the most sickening feeling I've ever had as a coach. Playing his best football arguably since his rookie season and to have it come down to this."

Tampa Bay, which lost its final four games, already had lost Earnest Graham to season-ending injured reserve last month.

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.