TAMPA, Fla. — The plan to ease Tampa Bay tailback Carnell Williams back into the fold will have to be adjusted.

Earnest Graham, who leads the Buccaneers with 563 rushing yards and four touchdowns, likely is done for the year after suffering a severe ankle injury in Sunday's 19-13 home victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

"His status for the rest of the season is very much in doubt," Bucs Coach Jon Gruden said Monday.

Same for rookie linebacker and special-teams standout Geno Hayes, a sixth-round pick from Florida State who blocked a punt for a touchdown against Carolina last month. Hayes injured his knee in the fourth quarter Sunday and probably is headed for the injured reserve list.

Graham, a fifth-year pro from Florida, was injured on the Bucs' second offensive play from scrimmage when defenders rolled up on his foot after a 3-yard run. He remained on the field, then gingerly limped to the sideline and did not return to the game.

To a man, each Buc knew the magnitude of losing a player like Graham, whose passion for the game and selfless attitude have helped define the team-first attitude in the locker room the last two seasons.

"The versatility of Earnest Graham goes a long way," linebacker Derrick Brooks said.

Graham was replaced Sunday by the combination of Warrick Dunn (20 carries, 53 yards) and Clifton Smith (4 carries, 21 yards). Although no one will question the toughness or durability of the NFL's No. 19 all-time rusher, Dunn's size (5 feet 9, 187 pounds) and age (33) limit him from being an all-day type back. Smith's three fumbles in three games will probably limit how much the coaches want to use him.

Now Williams will enter the equation.

Williams, who has not played since tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee Sept. 30, 2007, was moved from the reserved/physically unable to perform list last week to the 53-man roster. He was not active against the Vikings but will be Sunday when the Bucs (7-3) are on the road to face the winless Detroit Lions (0-10) at Ford Field.

"I think I can help," Williams said.

He's three years and several injuries — including what many believed was a career-threatening one to his knee — from being named the 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,178 yards, but Williams has drawn praise throughout One Buc Palace for his determination on the comeback trail.

Now it's time to see just how much his hard work has paid off; and with a team making a playoff push, no less. The Bucs remain a game behind the Panthers in the NFC South.

"I think it's a great story and one of the most exciting things I've been associated with as a coach because of the nature of the injury — it was a horrible injury," Gruden said. "Our No. 1 objective (was) to never put him in harm's way and disrupt his comeback. Do the right thing. We brought him back and we started the cycle to evaluate him.

"We took the bye week and, by George, after looking at him we said, 'You are ready to go.' And he agrees. Now his comeback is going to be available for everybody to see."

And it'll start against the Lions, a team ranked last in the NFL against the run in allowing 171.5 yards per game.

"I was joking in the training room that I kind of hope (the first carry) it's a big collision," Williams said. "I just want to get up and say, 'I'm fine.' "

That attitude will fit nicely with his teammates. While other clubs around the league lay a Sunday egg every so often, the Bucs have remained consistent with their effort and output. Their three losses (all on the road) were by a combined 11 points. And with Sunday's win, Tampa Bay is 5-0 at home for the first time in the club's 33-season history.

"You'd like these guys," Gruden said. "I think we've used everybody on the roster just about; not only active for game day but in the game. We've come from behind. We have a great group of guys. They want to play, want to win. They've given us everything they have."