Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden joked Monday that he thinks he has the phone number for Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders. But the situation at tailback is hardly a laughing matter for the Bucs, with the loss of Michael Pittman to an ankle injury suffered during the team's loss at Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon.
Pittman will miss 6-8 weeks, Gruden acknowledged, and his absence will likely force the Bucs to add a veteran tailback either through free agency or in a trade.
Fourth-year veteran back Earnest Graham, a former undrafted college free agent form the University of Florida, now becomes the starter. The backup will be rookie Kenneth Darby, who was elevated from the practice squad last week.
Bucs Lose RB Pittman For 6-8 Weeks