NFL

• Bucs put RB Graham, LB Hayes on IR

  
  

  Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed running back Earnest Graham and rookie linebacker Geno Hayes on injured reserve Wednesday, ending their seasons.

  The Bucs also signed running back Noah Herron and linebacker Matt McCoy on Wednesday.

  Graham suffered a right ankle injury in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The five-year veteran was hurt on his first carry of the game and had to be helped to the sideline. Graham had also been nursing a knee injury in the week leading up to the game.

  Graham and Warrick Dunn had split the running back duties this season, so Dunn will probably see more carries as a result of the injury. Graham leads the team with 563 yards and four touchdowns, while Dunn has chipped in 476 yards and one score.

  Former first-round draft pick Carnell "Cadillac" Williams is also an option for the Bucs. Williams was activated off the physically unable to perform list early last week and has not played an NFL game since September 30, 2007 when he suffered a torn patellar tendon in a contest against Carolina. He returned to practice late last month after an arduous recovery and rehab.

  Herron played in five games for the Packers in 2005 after they signed him off Pittsburgh's practice squad.

  He returned and played in all 16 games in 2006, but missed last season after suffering a knee injury. The Northwestern product has rushed for 273 yards and three touchdowns on 85 carries in his career, and has 29 receptions for 211 yards and two scores.

  Hayes, a sixth-round pick out of Florida State, has eight tackles on defense and seven special teams tackles. He also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in Tampa Bay's 27-3 win over Carolina on October 12.

  McCoy, a fourth-year veteran who has also played with the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints, was released in October by the Bucs.

  The 7-3 Buccaneers travel to Detroit to play the 0-10 Lions on Sunday.

  11/19 12:20:38 ET