Fears of torn patellar tendon for Cadillac

RB Cadillac Williams appears to have torn the patellar tendon in his left knee, one year after sustaining the same injury to his right knee.

Williams was injured early in the fourth quarter when he was tackled by CB Chris Johnson at the end of a 28-yard run, Williams' longest of the game.

The injury left Williams writhing in pain on the sideline and vividly showing his frustration. It was immediately apparent to him that the injury was severe, particularly having suffered the same injury before.

Williams returned to the lineup on Nov. 16 after spending the first half of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform List. This latest injury could deal him a significant setback in his career, which only now was getting back on track. Today's performance was perhaps his best since returning. He scored two touchdowns and had 115 total yards on 17 touches (12 carries and five receptions).

Initial information indicates this tear is less severe, but that would be only a small consolation for Williams. Expect more medical examinations in the days to come which could shed more light on the specifics of the injury.

Whatever the final diagnosis, Williams' injury was a turning point. The Bucs seemingly fell apart afterward, the injury sapping the emotion from the sideline.

"I wouldn't blame the loss on that, but you can't deny it," center Jeff Faine said. "We're all human. It's tough to sit there and watch this guy that came from rehabbing the first (patellar tear) to having something similar happen. And to hear him screaming like that, man, he knew exactly what it was because he's had it before. . . I really can't put into words how bad we're all hurting."

Comments

[fogelberg]

So sad.

[Timjk54]

Really sad to think 20 years from now Carnel will be just another crippled former NFL player ... Best of luck ..

[Wayne]

this sucks

[USArmyRob]

I have faith in you Caddy. I feel for you. I tore my PCL this year and Im rebounding it sucks. But keep mentally tough and you can do it again!

[Larry]

As much as I'd love to see you come back Carnell it may be time to take an injury settlement and go about living your life. You're a really solid young man and you've shown remarkable tenacity and heart to come back from a horrific injury. Apply yourself to other pursuits with the same dedication that you've shown over the past 18 months and you'll make your mother very proud of you.

[Larry]

As much as I'd love to see you come back Carnell it may be time to take an injury settlement and go about living your life. You're a really solid young man and you've shown remarkable tenacity and heart to come back from a horrific injury. Apply yourself to other pursuits with the same dedication that you've shown over the past 18 months and you'll make your mother very proud of you.

[The Iron Sheik]

Good job to the bucs and john gruden for ruining caddy's chance's of playing football or even walking on a nomal level ever again. moron gruden couldnt wait till next year to use caddy, now he's done for next season as well once again great job to the bucs and the gruden! you guy's are the best F you!!!!!

[Garick]

It sucks man, he was just getting back to running the ball like he use to. Don't give up Caddy, it may be a while but you can come back from this!

[Erick]

This is truly upsetting. He was doing great and showed the promise we all saw his first two years. I just hope he is ok and can come back. If it severe maybe he should consider hanging it up.

[Brandon]

Sheik, you're a moron! williams' job is to play football, it is neither Gruden nor the Bucs fault that Williams is hurt, if you want to blame somebody, blame Williams.

I have been one of Williams biggest critics over his career but that being said I was seeing better things out of him recently and I really feel for him in his latest injury.

[Leo In Canada]

Good luck young man. You are truly an inspiration. Whatever course you decide on, your courage & perseverance are duly noted.

[Adam]

Usually an injury to a player of Cadillac's nature would RALLY a team to show that his sacrifice was not in vain... however, the Bucs defense seemed to think that because Cadillac went to the locker room, so could they, so they promptly fell over like a dead deer. Thanks for nothing, Bucs. You have less heart than the Tin Man.

[mediocrity]

Let the excuse-making begin!!!, with faine. hahaha, what a bunch of soft losers...williams is not on defense and wasn't responsible for the raiders running all over the soft sucaneers...the team is a joke, along with the fans...oh, great draft pick with "KIA" williams...just another example of a gruden draft pick..he never was an every-down back and take a look at who you could have gotten instead of him.....enjoy the rest of the holidays and i am not leaving tampa until the midget coach leaves....he is too interested in sniffing around tiger and trolling for skanks on madeira beach!

[Dale]

Shiek--
Can you explain to me exactly how waiting until next year would have prevented this injury? Today's injury was to his left knee--the previous injury was to his right. You truly are a moron...

[Braheem Ackmadia]

When Carnell went to the ground screaming & grabbing his knee, I no longer even cared about the outcome of the game! I was rivetted watching him seemingly becoming even better than his rookie campaign with the additional pass catching skills. Anybody watching could see he was being very effective while also noticing he really didn't have full strength in his legs. Carnell's future was looking bright once again AND THEN THIS! I hope the prognosis is better than initially reported. Lets put football aside....This is a man in physical & emotional pain for yet the 2nd time right before our eyes. Good Luck Carnell

[Mark Skoneki]

Good luck, Cadillac. Know that the Auburn nation is praying for you.

[Denise]

Carnell I hope you are ok. I wish we could have made the playoffs, but I am still behind our Tampa Bay Bucs and Gruden. You have to take the bad with the good. I was behind you in 2003 and I will always be behind the Bucs in the future!!!!!

[shane]

i cant say that i felt what the bucs sideline felt but when i saw caddy go down thats all i could think about for the rest of the game i hope this injury is not as severe and wish caddy a quick and full recovery.

[MB]

Stephen!! Wake the hek up. Using Cadillac's injury as an excuse for bad play is for sissy's!!!

You rise up and rally not sit around...Pathetic Media...Pathetic team..

Turn out the lights.

[Ben bolt fan]

I am very sad for Caddy. He would have won the game for this team. He was on a major roll, seeing what little hoes there was, bouncing out and turning up field with spead and power.
Very sad!!!!!!!

[TriplePlay]

Thanks to CBS for leaving the on air mike open so we could hear Caddy scream in pain.

CBS really blows when it comes to football broadcasts. Their announcers are horrible and they have the absolute worst on field female reporters I have ever heard. They would better off miking the cheerleaders and letting them capture some audio between skits.

[Robert]

Cadillac you are a wonderful young man and a great football player! I know the lord has a plan for you and you will be alright. I pray that you make a full recovery. I was so happy the day the bucs drafted you! The running back we had been missing. You didn't disapoint either. You were and are a great player! Gruden was more worried about winning today rather than your health and that is wrong. Get well and GOD BLESS YOU!

[Robert]

People on here can say whatever you want, but the truth is gruden may have ruined this young man's career! He over worked him his rookie year. That led to numerous injuries. Every normal person thought he had too many touches this year. Which he did! It is his job to play football, but it is the coaches job to protect him! Gruden has ran him into the ground since day 1 and today he risked his health for one win!I pray for you Cadillac!lord is wit u!

[IMISS_No47]

agree with the previous post - I thought leaving the mic on so everyone could hear Carnell's screaming and cursing was in poor taste. As for the team - I don't know where to begin...this is a historic meltdown for the ages. No one will forget the 2008 Bucs.

[IdahoBUCfan]

Robert, you my friend are an ignorant idiot! Find some other tragedy to blame on Coach Gruden. This would have been much easier for you had it been the same knee, however, it was his "healthy" one. How about rooting for another team loser! I guess the Denver coach is even worse of a man and coach than Gruden, because he had even More runningbacks hurt! Nah, maybe they just got hurt playing a very dangerous game! GO BUCS! Good luck in the off season, lets spend some of that cap money!

[Jesse]

Does this mean we are drafting a new RB?

[The Iron Sheik]

yes dale i can explain,carnell said himself a few weeks back that
he was not at 100%,all im saying is maybe they should have waited until next season to play him but just like the bucs and there fans all u do is make exuse for the crap that goes on with this team,it will be interesting to hear the exuse “chucky” gives us today.

[JC]

My heart broke as I watched Carnell punch the ground screaming "you've got to be [expletive] kidding me..." over the field level mics.

I think everyone, even Caddy, knew that was the end.

[BossManCarr]

After seeing the defense get run all over for 4 weeks in a row I'd have to say I'm glad we missed the playoffs. After the raiders 4th quarter interception, they ran on every single play with Michael Bush (who?) and made it down to the 3 or 4 yard line. UNBELIEVABLE!! Caddy you are in my prayers buddy, good luck and keep your spirits high.

[Donovan Kelley]

Caddy got some good news that the tear was not as serious as the previous knee injury and he should be back by training camp.

[Robert]

IDAHO buc fan.. Get that in your head! You are a moron out in idaho who thinks he knows the bucs. I live and die bucs, but I also take a look at reality. Gruden, who some idiots like to defend has done nothing great for this team! In 7 seasons with the bucs this offensive mastermind averages 25th ranked offense in NFL, never acknowledges he was wrong, cant develop a QB to save his life, and has all but run cadillac into the ground! Sheik is right and understands! Gruden should have protected cadillac this season! I dont care if it was the healthy leg, gruden put that game on a young man's shoulders who already said he was not 100 percent. He was hurting and gruden was more worried about the W and Playoffs! I dont know why Gruden worries about the playoffs. He hasn't won a game in the playoffs since he won Dungy's supperbowl. Idaho you are also an idiot who says dungy couldn't get it done. Well, Dungy has proven he can and he could of! He built that team from rags to riches and that was his year and it was taken from him! So Idaho take a step back and look at the facts.. Gruden put his player in a situation to get hurt again and he did. Gruden only cares about himself and thinks he does nothing wrong, but when you look at the big picture he really does nothing right! He can thank Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin for his SuperBowl ring!

[OAR]

Robert, I'm from Tampa and I am a die hard Bucs fan and have to agree with Idaho here. Saying Gruden was the reason for Caddy gettinig hurt is ridiculous. Do you know how many players play through the year hurt or with naging injuries? The league would have no players, if you kept them out till 100% healthy, you a--! And a double a-- for thinking Dungy's team won the SB(yeah he finally got Indy in there 5 yrs later. BTW: with a Jim Mora built team if you guys say it was a Dungy team then the same can be said for that. BTW without Manning they never win one.) Gruden brought in more than half the roster 27 players I believe(mostly on offense). Yeah I guess you all are right that's a total Dungy team.