Ankle injury ends Earnest Graham's season

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed starting running back Earnest Graham on the season-ending injured reserve list Wednesday with a severely sprained right ankle.

Graham suffered the injury on his first carry in last Sunday's 19-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings and had to be helped to the sideline.

In the week leading up to the game, Graham had been nursing a knee injury.

"I don't know the medical terms but right now it doesn't look like he will play anytime soon," Tamp Bay Coach Jon Gruden said before Graham's MRI Wednesday.

Graham finishes the 2008-09 season with four touchdowns after 132 carries for 563 yards.

Also going to IR was rookie linebacker Geno Hayes. The sixth-round pick from Florida State compiled eight tackles on defense and seven on special teams.

On Oct. 12, he blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 27-3 win over the Carolina Panthers.