TAMPA, Fla. -- Running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and tackle Luke Petitgout both will undergo season-ending knee surgery this week, a major setback for the 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Williams injured his right knee when he was tackled by Carolina safety Chris Harris at the end of an 18-yard run during the first quarter of Sunday's 20-7 victory over the Panthers. Petitgout limped off the field after defensive tackle Kris Jenkins fell into his right leg in the second quarter.
"That's a big blow. ... We have some people who need to step up," coach Jon Gruden said Monday.
The Bucs will use a combination of Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham to replace Williams, the 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Tampa Bay's leading rusher the past two seasons. Pittman and Graham finished Sunday with 138 of Tampa Bay's 189 yards rushing.
Petitgout, a ninth-year pro who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the New York Giants, was signed during the offseason to stabilize an offensive line featuring three starters in their first or second year in the NFL.
Donald Penn, a second-year pro, will take over Petitgout's spot at left tackle.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Source: ESPN.com
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