Bucs' Davin Joseph carted off

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TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl guard Davin Joseph suffered what is believed to be a serious knee injury in Friday night's 30-28 preseason victory over the New England Patriots.

"It doesn't look good,'' coach Greg Schiano said of Joseph's injury after the game.

Joseph went down with 1:05 remaining in the first half and instantly began clutching his right knee. Teammates huddled nearby and joined hands as Joseph, who served as a captain for the pregame coin toss, was down. He eventually was carted off the field, and early indications weren't encouraging. Schiano said more tests will be done Saturday morning to get a final evaluation on the injury.

"I'm worried about Davin,'' Schiano said. "I'm praying for him tonight."

Losing Joseph for the season, or even an extended period, would be a big blow to an offensive line that the Bucs believe can be one of the league's best. The Bucs spent big money to bring in All-Pro Carl Nicks as a free agent, and the hope was that he and Joseph could give the team the league's top guard tandem.

Ted Larsen replaced Joseph on Friday night. Larsen or Derek Hardman likely would be the top candidates to replace Joseph in the starting lineup.

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Pat Yasinskas | email

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• ESPN NFC South Blogger
• Joined ESPN in 2008
• Began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990