LT Penn thrust into role

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published October 1, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Brendan Fitterer | Times] Donald Penn (70), a 24-year-old journeyman who has never started an NFL game, will take over at left tackle after the Bucs lost veteran starter Luke Petitgout, who may be gone for the season with a right knee injury.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Now starting at left tackle: Donald Penn.

Who?

That's probably the reaction of most people today after veteran starter Luke Petitgout suffered a potential season-ending injury, leaving the offensive line's most critical position in the hands of a 24-year-old journeyman who has never started an NFL game.

Petitgout suffered a right knee injury during the second quarter, one series after Cadillac Williams was carted off the field with a serious knee injury. Petitgout's injury thrust Penn into the critical matchup between NFC South co-leaders.

Know what he was doing one year ago today? Waiting for the phone to ring after the Vikings released him.

It's a heck of a chance for the player from Utah State, but he is stepping into a virtual minefield.

Case in point: If Penn starts this weekend at Indianapolis, his first assignment will be to neutralize All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney.

"I need to get better," Penn said. "There's a lot of stuff I have to do. That's what this league is about. I got my opportunity today and, luckily, I was ready. I went in there and tried to grasp it. I've been waiting on this opportunity. I want to take it and do all I can."

Penn isn't lacking for confidence, even if he is woefully short on experience.

"We had to match (Carolina's physicality)," he said. "If we didn't match it, we were going to lose."

The Bucs did not have Anthony Davis active Sunday, and he started most of the past two seasons at left tackle. But Penn seems to have surpassed him on the depth chart.

KELLY SUFFERS SETBACK: Cornerback Brian Kelly missed his second game in three weeks after aggravating his groin injury during practice last week, he said.

The approach of the team's medical staff now is to simply rest until the muscle is completely healed, Kelly said.

He said last week that he aggravated the injury while playing against the Rams. It's unclear how long he is expected to be sidelined.

Phillip Buchanon played well in Kelly's absence, with Sammy Davis serving as the nickel cornerback when five defensive backs were needed.

CHUKWURAH SIGHTING: Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah finally made his regular-season debut, playing on a few key late series and netting his first sack as a Buc.

Chukwurah, sidelined by a right knee injury since the preseason, said he'll be worked in slowly.

"It's a stepping stone, that's all," he said. "Everything held up good. It's definitely not 100 percent, but it's almost there."

FIRST STRIKE: The Bucs scored a touchdown on their opening possession for the first time since their Thanksgiving Day loss at Dallas. It set the tone for the day, players said.

"If you're able to do it on the road, you're doggone right," guard Davin Joseph said. "You're looking at them, and they know it: They're going to have to do something else because what they're doing ain't working. If not, they know we're going to run the same thing all day."

Miscellaneous: The Bucs held their opponent scoreless during the first half for the third straight game. The last time they did that was in the final three games of the 1988 season. ... Kicker Matt Bryant moved into fourth place in franchise history with 44 field goals.

[Last modified September 30, 2007, 23:55:07]