Storer tears ACL, out for season

UPDATE, 11:46 a.m.: Byron Storer revealed he has a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. More on the subject later.

"It's bad news," he said.

"I was just trying to play over the top of a guy and the leg gave out. It wasn't a hit or anything. It was the funniest thing. . . I had never had problems with knees or anything. I've never really had a major injury."

Now we know what Gruden meant when he said this morning, "We're in trouble right now at fullback."

The Bucs could make a trade or sign a free agent to fill in, or they could choose to play B.J. Askew, who is nearing his return.

POSTED, 11:23 a.m.: Bucs coach Jon Gruden just completed his Monday news conference and revealed great concern about the fullback position, where the Bucs lost their lone healthy player on Sunday.

Backup Byron Storer sustained a knee injury and is expected to have an MRI exam performed today in an effort to determine the extent of the damage. His injury is compounded by B.J. Askew's hamstring injury, one that has sidelined him for three weeks and could keep him out longer.

The Bucs may be forced to make a roster move to address the situation, Gruden said.

"We're going to have to do something," Gruden said. "We're a two-back team."

There's also concern about injuries to WR Maurice Stovall (hamstring) and LG Arron Sears (knee). They, too, are being evaluated today.

Comments

[Kurt]

I've got an idea...why don't we blame Gruden for this? I'm sure DR and Brandon are in, how 'bout the rest of you? HAHAHAHAHA - Go Bucs!!! The beauty of depth on the roster...way to go GruAllen; you're doing a great job regardless of what the peanut gallery thinks!!!

[Tom]

We desperately need to get BJ Askew and Joey Galloway back in the lineup.

I like the way we somewhat stretched the field yesterday. Even though we didn't get any big hits, the WRs ran three tier routes at least. From what I've been seeing in the past weeks have been just horizontal routes which drives me nuts. Eventually, however, we need to throw it to Dexter Jackson and not have him there just to run decoy routes. I still think he's a weak football player but the jury is still out.

OUCH THIS HURTS IS LORENZO NEAL STILL AVAILABLE? ERNEST DID A GREAT JOB BLOCKING BUT WE NEEDED HIM ON A COUPLE OF THIRD AND 3'S

[mitch]

Jameel Cook?? He's on the waiver wire. I believe he was cut by Houston because of marijuana possession charges. On Oct 1 the charges were dropped. He knows the system and was an adequate blocker. EG did a great job stepping in but I would hate to see him loose touches filling in the FB role.

[Matt]

Well it is the Tribute game for number "40" next week. I wonder what kind of shape he's in?

Buc's vs. Brad Johnson in Dallas in 2 weeks now that Tony Homo hurt his pinkie.

[Fuber]

"We're a two-back team"

Ouch. Michael Bennett gets no Gruden love.

[mitch]

Lo Neal is available also...interesting option??$$??

[skp]

Matt, although i think he might've been a year or two late in hanging it up, it would be hilarious (but completely unrealistic) if the #40 tribute ended up occuring with him sporting a contract, shoulder pads, and a bucs uni holding that FB spot down until askew could come back...

we can probably make it through 1 more game with earnest graham lead blocking while dunn and bennett play HB, but much more than that and we'll need to get some help someplace...didn't we have a semi-respectable 3rd FB in training camp?

[Mike J]

Er, Fuber, I think Gruden meant the Bucs run two backs at the same time mostly, a FB/RB set.

[RJ]

It looked to me that EG held his own pretty good at FB on Sunday. Play EG at FB until Askew is ready and run Dunn and Bennett as TB's. You can still throw to EG out of the backfield and run him in short yardage situations. What is the big deal?

[Kurt]

This hurts us more on special teams than anything else. Hopefully, we can find adequate backups who can fill the special teams roles that Storer and Stovall provided. They looked pretty darn good without them yesterday, I'll say that!

lo neal plays for the ravens by the way

[Brandon]

Kurt,

You are such a douche. The only thing I blame Gruden for is for playing that horrific excuse of a QB, AKA "Your Dream Boat", Brian Griese. Where's "Never Makes a Mistake" Griese now? Back bolted onto the bench where he belongs, next stop = unemployment line.

Kurt, you never had ANY credibility before, and now after throwing your support behind the worst QB to start a game for the Bucs since Eric Zeier, you look like an even bigger fool than usual. Your drivel gets more and more idiotic the more you post, great job!

I wouldn't mind seeing John Gilmore getting the snaps at FB if it isn't too much to ask for a guy so new to the system. Smith and Stevens are decent enough as in-line blockers that I could see Gilmore making the transition without having a devestating effect on the rest of the team.

[Tom]

Guys, losing Storer is bigger than you think. Without Askew and Storer, we don't have a FB. RJ asked what's the big deal? Without a FB, you lose the ability to run your best back, Graham, with a lead block. Short yard and goal line situations are limited. Putting your best back as a lead blocker is not a good thing.

Sometimes I wonder how long you guys have been watching football.

[Drew]

Are the rumors true, Mike Alstott is planning a come back as a replacement player until the other FB's are healthy. NOT!!! Can't criticize me for dreaming...

[aaron]

Rick Razanno or Jameel Cook. I was upset when Cook left, I thought he was someone we should have kept. He can block and catch a decent ball. Good option.

Rick Razanno seemed to be a similar style player to Storer...I completely forgot about him Aaron, good call.