LeGarrette Blount's injury could keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back out of this Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, as Blount remains unlikely to play.

The Buccaneers have not given any official word on Blount's status for this weekend, but Blount missed practice Wednesday and quotes from the team seem to suggest they are resigned to going forward without him.

So, the Buccaneers will turn to 31-year-old Earnest Graham, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Blount is still hampered by a left knee injury that caused him to come out of an ugly loss last weekend at San Francisco.

You guys know Earnest has done everything for us, Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman said. Whether it's playing fullback, being the third down back and now this week he's going to get the majority of the reps, the majority of the carries.

I mean, he's done it before. ... He's a guy we know can get it done.

Graham has rushed for 84 yards on 18 carries in limited action this season. He also has 23 catches for 143 yards.

In 2007, he was Tampa Bay's featured back, rushing 222 times for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns. The next year, he was hampered by injuries but still rushed for 563 yards.

He never returned to that level, however. He never even gained more than 100 yards in an entire season after 2008.

Along with Graham, Kregg Lumpkin and rookie Allen Bradford will likely see time on the field.

National Football League Update