Earnest Graham may be done for season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Minnesota Vikings yesterday 19-13, but they may have lost Earnest Graham for the remainder of the season. On his only rushing attempt, a 3-yard gain, Graham injured his ankle.

"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 anytime soon."

"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."

Warrick Dunn handled the rushing duties and had 118 yards (rushing and receiving combined) against the Vikings.

Cadillac Williams, who hasn't played since September 2007, was inactive last week, but will be activated for this week's game against the Lions.

"I am ready to go," Williams told the Tampa Tribune. "I have put in a lot of work. I feel confident. I'm mentally ready and physically ready. I just hate the situation had to come like this with E.G. going down, but that's football. I'll make the best of the opportunity."

Fortunately for Cadillac, he faces a Lions defense that is the worst in the NFL against the run and that gave up 264 yards against the Carolina Panthers, which was a Panthers' franchise record. Every back should be so fortunate to play the Lions in their first game of the season.

On the season, Earnest Graham has 563 rushing yards on 132 attempts. He has 4 rushing TDs.