Graham's injury presents challenges even after Blount returns

Though the Bucs have yet to make it official, it's been confirmed to me that running back Earnest Graham has a torn Achilles' tendon. That's a season-ending injury for all intents and purposes. The good news: The Bucs hope starter LeGarrette Blount can return after this week's bye, as the Bucs look toward their Nov. 6 game at New Orleans. Blount's knee injury isn't considered a long-term problem, and by the time the bye week is over, he'll have had four weeks of rest. But the return of Blount to the lineup is not a cure-all. The Bucs still have to fulfill the Graham's original role of third-down back. They still don't consider Blount an ideal candidate to play on third downs, although he becomes more of an option with Graham out of the lineup. So, the third-down duties most likely will be handed to Kregg Lumpkin. He was in a preseason competition with Graham for the job before Graham won out, so Lumpkin becomes the most obvious answer to this quan...