Ankle injury ends Earnest Graham’s season

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.