Buenning's knee injury looks serious
By JOANNE KORTH
Published November 24, 2006
IRVING, Texas - The Bucs offensive line took another hit Thursday when left guard Dan Buenning suffered what likely is a season-ending right knee injury.
He is scheduled for an MRI exam today, but the initial prognosis was bleak.
"It hurts. I know that for sure," said Buenning, on crutches after the game. "I can't put any weight on it."
The fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2005 returned three weeks ago after missing four of the first eight games with a high ankle sprain sustained in the final preseason game. His return coincided with the resurgence of the running game.
"It's tough," running back Cadillac Williams said. "When he's in there, we have a tendency to get a lot of things done."
A season ago, all five members of the offensive line started every game, 16 in the regular season and one in the playoffs. This season, only center John Wade and left tackle Anthony Davis have started all 11.
Right tackle Kenyatta Walker had knee surgery after starting the first three games, forcing rookie Jeremy Trueblood into the lineup. First-round pick Davin Joseph, the projected starter at right guard, missed the first four games with a knee injury.
Buenning's latest injury puts Sean Mahan back in the lineup. He has started seven games in place of Buenning and Joseph.
"It has to be disheartening for the unit," Trueblood said. "The only good thing that comes of it is it gives somebody else an opportunity. Sean Mahan is a good player and will come in and play well."
CADDY STILL BACK: For consecutive games, Williams has looked like the running back who won offensive rookie of the year honors last season, gaining 78 yards on 17 carries Thursday, including a long of 22.
Williams moved into eighth in franchise history in rushing yards with 1,875 yards, 30 more than Jerry Eckwood (1979-81).
On the game's opening 80-yard touchdown drive, the Bucs ran eight times in 10 plays (including a scramble by quarterback Bruce Gradkowski). Williams had 67 yards in the first half.
"We felt like we could attack them in the running game," he said. "I still feel like if the game had been closer, there were big yards out there to be had. But that's just the nature of the game."
BAD FOOTING: Safety Will Allen twisted his ankle on the play before but said he slipped trying to change direction on a 30-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn. The injury had no effect, he said.
"I can't slip," he said. "We were in Cover 2, and they ran a route they really haven't run in the red zone. But I knew the post route was coming. I was breaking on the ball, and it was me and Terry one on one. I just slipped."
FAST AND FAR: Tampa Bay scored on its opening possession for the second time this season. The first was at New Orleans, an 18-yard pass from Gradkowski to Joey Galloway. Against the Cowboys, the big play of the drive was a 53-yard pass from Gradkowski to Galloway, the longest of Gradkowski's career.
BOLDEN STARTS: Cornerback Juran Bolden started despite a bone bruise and a nagging ankle injury. Dallas coach Bill Parcells said his offense did not pick on Bolden. "I looked at him closely in warmups, and he looked like he was functional," Parcells said.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Bolden was not 100 percent, but that the depleted secondary needed him. Bolden is starting for Brian Kelly, out for the season because of toe surgery.
"A lot of these guys aren't 100 percent," Gruden said. "A short week, and it's tough."
BUCS BITS: Fullback Mike Alstott's 1-yard run was the 70th touchdown of his career, 57th rushing. ... Defensive tackle Chris Hovan recorded his first sack for the Bucs in his second season with the team.