Buccaneers running back Mike James got off to a great start on Monday night against the Dolphins. But it didn’t last long.
On Tampa Bay’s first drive, James was the focal point of the offense, and he looked great. James carried five times and gained 41 yards, but after helping the Bucs get deep in Miami territory, he went down with an ankle injury.
James was carted off the field, and the team initially said he’s questionable to return but announced shortly after that he would not be back.
Without James the Buccaneers scored on a great tackle-eligible pass to Donald Penn (who showed off a great vertical jump in celebrating), and on Tampa Bay’s next drive, backup running back Brian Leonard helped march the Buccaneers into field goal range, where they took a 10-0 lead.