Ankle injury shelves Graham
TAMPA (AP) — Tampa Bay’s Earnest Graham injured his right ankle in Sunday’s victory over the Minnesota Vikings, and Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said the running back’s season “could be in jeopardy.”
Graham, the former Mariner High star, was hurt on his only carry in the 19-13 win, limping off after landing awkwardly when he was tackled after a three-yard gain.
“His status for the rest of the season is very much in question right now,” Gruden said Monday. “I don’t have the exact medical terms, but I will say right now, it doesn’t look like he’ll play any time soon.”
Warrick Dunn took over as the featured back when Graham left, finishing with 53 yards on 20 carries to move ahead of Ricky Watters for 19th place on the NFL’s career rushing list with 10,657 yards. He also had four receptions for 65 yards against the Vikings.
Graham’s injury also figures to accelerate Carnell “Cadillac” Williams’ comeback from a knee injury that kept him from playing since tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee in September 2007.
The fourth-year pro was moved from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster last week. However, he was inactive Sunday.
“Obviously we brought Cadillac up with the understanding he’s ready to go,” Gruden said. “We’re very disappointed for Earnest. He means a lot to us. He’s done so much for us here in the last couple of years. He a key reason why we are where we are.”
Graham entered last season as the third-string tailback, but wound up playing a major role in Tampa Bay winning the NFC South because of injuries to Williams and Michael Pittman. He started 10 games and rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns after gaining 215 yards and not scoring any TDs in his first three pro seasons.
Despite sacrificing some opportunities to carry the ball this season because the Bucs needed him to fill in at fullback, Graham is the club’s leading rusher with 563 yards and a team-best four TDs.
His absence also could mean more playing time for rookie Clifton Smith, who has lost fumbles in each of the past three games.