Knee injury might KO Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Vincent Jackson for season

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson is possibly done for the season after injuring his knee during Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Jackson was diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament, making his return unlikely with three games left in the regular season.

The Buccaneers might not choose to place Jackson on the season-ending injured reserve list in case they make the playoffs.

Jackson was injured in the first half against New Orleans and had one catch for 5 yards before exiting.

Jackson missed three games earlier this season due to a knee injury.

Overall, Jackson has 33 receptions for 543 yards and three touchdowns this season. It marks the first time in four seasons with the Buccaneers that he won't reach 1,000 yards.

--The Bucs can't win with without turnovers. In the past three games, the only takeaway came on Lavonte David's game-clinching interception against the Falcons. On Sunday, much like their loss to the Colts, they had none. Lovie Smith is 0-5 with the Bucs when they don't have a takeaway and 4-16 overall as a head coach without at least one.

--The Bucs went back to Gosder Cherilus at right tackle on Sunday, making Demar Dotson inactive. That's one week after switching to Dotson when Cherilus was limited in practice with a knee injury.

--The Bucs allowed the Saints to convert 12 of 17 third-down situations, not counting two third downs in which the penalties resulted in first downs. The Bucs weren't nearly as good, going 4-for-11.

NOTES: Defensive tackle Da'Quan Bowers, a former second-round pick by the Bucs who was released in training camp, will sign with the Bucs Tuesday pending a physical. To make room for Bowers, the Bucs are expected to release defensive lineman Josh Shirley. ... Linebacker Bruce Carter (foot/ankle) did not finish Sunday's game due to an injury and had to be helped to the locker room. Carter started for suspended LB Kwon Alexander. ... Defensive tackle Akeem Spence (ankle) had to leave Sunday's game against the Saints and could miss Thursday's game at St. Louis. ... Guard Logan Mankins (knee) finished Sunday's game but would've been unable to practice Monday, coach Lovie Smith said.