The Buccaneers haven’t made any official declaration about running back LeGarrette Blount’s availability for this Sunday after he suffered a knee injury in the Week Five loss to the 49ers, but quarterback Josh Freeman gave a pretty big hint that he’ll be out of action on Wednesday.
Blount missed practice on Wednesday and the quarterback didn’t try to disguise the team’s feelings about Blount’s chances of playing. Freeman said, via Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times, that Earnest Graham will carry the load in the backfield when the Bucs face the Saints.
“You guys know Earnest has done everything for us,” Freeman said. “Whether it’s playing fullback, being the third down back and now this week he’s going to get the majority of the reps, the majority of the carries. I mean, he’s done it before...he’s a guy we know can get it done.”
Graham has 18 carries for 84 yards and 23 catches for 143 yards so far this season. He’s served mostly as the team’s third-down back, a role that would likely fall to Kregg Lumpkin with Graham stepping into the lead tailback role on Sunday.