The signs were good on Friday night that running back LeGarrette Blount had avoided serious injury during a scary pileup in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the Tennessee Titans. Blount walked off the field after his mishap, later walked on his own power to the locker room and then returned to the bench in full uniform. He didn't return to action in the game, which was never a consideration in the second week of the preseason, but he was standing on the sideline with his teammates when the game ended.
In addition, Buccaneers Head Coach Greg Schiano said after the game that he did not believe Blount's injury was significant, noting that the hurt area was closer to the groin than to the knee, as some feared. On Saturday, after the dust had settled, Schiano still appeared to be unconcerned about any long-term absence for the team's incumbent starting running back.
"I don't know how long [Blount will be out], but I don't think it's going to be serious," said the coach. "Will it be this week? I don't know, but I don't think it will be an extended period of time."
Blount was hurt at the end of a four-yard run early in the second quarter. He and rookie running back Doug Martin are expected to form a powerful one-two punch in the Buccaneers backfield this fall.
Schiano also said that second-year tight end Luke Stocker, who was held out of Friday's game, has been examined by doctors and cleared to return to action. Stocker is likely to suit up when the team gets back on the practice field on Monday morning.
