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Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Antone Smith, DE Howard Jones done for season

By The Sports Xchange
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach Dirk Koetter (R) offers encouragement to Howard Jones before the Buccaneers-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, September 18, 2016. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach Dirk Koetter (R) offers encouragement to Howard Jones before the Buccaneers-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, September 18, 2016. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

Buccaneers running back Antone Smith and defensive end Howard Jones both suffered season-ending injuries during Thursday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter announced Friday afternoon.

Smith suffered a knee injury in the Buccaneers' 43-28 defeat at Raymond James Stadium. He had five carries for 25 yards, fumbling once, and caught three passes for 27 yards.

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It was only Smith's third games with Tampa Bay after joining the team in the middle of October to provide backfield depth. Bucs starting back Doug Martin is sidelined with a hamstring injury and fellow back Jacquizz Rodgers is out with a foot injury.

Peyton Barber and Mike James are the only remaining healthy backs on the roster.

The 31-year-old Smith is in his seventh NFL campaign, but never played in all 16 games in a single season.

Smith played his college ball at Florida State and wasn't drafted in 2009. He spent his first five seasons in Atlanta before joining the Chicago Bears in 2015.

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Jones also injured his knee and will be sidelined for the rest of the year. The 26-year-old recorded one tackle against the Falcons before departing.

Jones played at Shepherd University and joined the Bucs as an undrafted free agent before the 2015 season.

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