Looking forward despite pain

Jon Gruden says the Bucs won't let two major injuries unravel the team.

By RICK STROUD
Published October 2, 2007

Bucs offensive tackle Luke Petitgout lays on the ground after being injured during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panther.
	[Brendan Fitterer | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Brian Cassella | Times] Bucs running back Cadillac Williams goes down with an injury on a run in front of Carolina's Chris Harris in the first quarter.

TAMPA - Jon Gruden confirmed the worst Monday - the season is over for Cadillac Williams and Luke Petitgout.

But the Bucs coach said those injuries don't have to torpedo the team's season as well.

"To see a guy have a very serious injury, man, it's hard to swallow, it's hard to take," Gruden said. "But we've got a lot of resolve on this team. We can't look at this like it's a season-ending situation for us. The season is just beginning. And we're excited about what we have left."

Williams will have surgery today, by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. Petitgout is out with torn medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee and is scheduled for surgery Thursday or Friday.

Both players were hurt in the first half of Sunday's 20-7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Their third straight victory gave the Bucs 3-1 sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

"We'll have a different team in the second quarter of the season," Gruden said. "A different feature back, a different left tackle."

Williams' injury could be career threatening, but Gruden would say only that the Bucs' running back would face a long rehab. The patellar tendon affects one's ability to jump and accelerate.

"That injury at the running back position is a tough one to come back 100 percent from," said Dr. Johnny Benjamin, chairman of orthopedics at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach. "Leg strength and drive are very important ... it's hard to generate after this type of injury."

Petitgout was injured on a short-yardage play when Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins slipped and fell across his right leg. Center John Wade was blocking Jenkins at the time.

Gruden said Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham will fill the void left by Williams at running back. The two combined for 138 yards on 32 carries Sunday.

No roster moves were announced, but the Bucs are likely to sign rookie Kenneth Darby, a seventh-round pick from Alabama, from the practice squad.

According to an ESPN report, the Bucs contacted free agent Corey Dillon, who requested his release from the Patriots this offseason. But Dillon decided to remain retired.

Petitgout was replaced Sunday by tackle Donald Penn, who could start next week at Indianapolis against Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney.

"I always watch that Tiki Barber commercial when he's driving that Escalade and he's talking about his opportunity," Penn said Monday. "Every time I see that commercial, I'm like, 'Man, I'm just waiting on mine and I've got to do it because you only get one.'"

The Bucs are expected to use one of those roster spots left by Williams and Petitgout to activate cornerback Torrie Cox, who missed the first four games serving an NFL suspension for violating the terms of his personal treatment policy.

Gruden said he was proud of his team, particularly on defense. The Bucs have not allowed a point in the first half of the past three games and came within 22 seconds of a shutout Sunday.

"We battled. We played 60 minutes of hard-nosed football (Sunday) in all three phases," Gruden said. "Sure, there were some feelings and some things going on emotionally, but our guys maintained their focus and continued to pound away. I thought that showed a lot of concentration and toughness."

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 00:43:20]