Injuries to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running backs gives Kenneth Darby chance to shine | floridatoday.com | Serving Brevard County and Florida’s Space Coast
TAMPA - The slew of injuries to Tampa Bay Buccaneer running backs -- first Mike Alstott, then Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, then Michael Pittman -- has thrust rookie Kenneth Darby up the depth chart.
Darby, a seventh-round draft pick out of Alabama, has risen from on the bubble of getting cut to making the practice squad to landing on the 53-man active roster to claiming the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at tailback.
"I anticipate every week on playing," said Darby, who's listed at 5-foot-10, 211 pounds. He ranks third on the all-time Alabama rushing list with 3,324 yards behind Shaun Alexander's 3,565 and Bobby Humphrey's 3,420.
Darby will back up Earnest Graham, who at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium will make his first career NFL start at tailback.
"Even when I was on the practice squad, I would anticipate that I was going to play the upcoming week," Darby said. "So it will not be a surprise when they do call me."
Bucs coach Jon Gruden said he has full confidence in his new backfield combination.
"I feel like Earnest Graham's a very good football player," Gruden said. "Ken Darby's going to get an opportunity, and obviously for a young back at this stage of his career, it's a great challenge.
"But opportunity only knocks so many times, and you've got to answer the door. Ken Darby is going to do that for us."
Injuries to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running backs gives Kenneth Darby chance to shine
Injuries to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running backs gives Kenneth Darby chance to shine
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