Peep Show

Updated: December 9, 2003, 10:31 AM ET
By By Darrell Trimble | ESPN Insider
Pittman
Pittman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Thomas Jones got several chances to be a feature back during his three-year tenure with the Arizona Cardinals, but he could never beat out Michael Pittman. Now both tailbacks are on the Bucs, and Jones is getting another chance to carry the load. Coach Jon Gruden admitted that his team has no real shot at the playoffs and said the rest of the season will be spent evaluating younger players, like Jones. The former first round pick rushed for 85 yards on 20 carries against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, and Gruden now plans to make him the feature back for the next three weeks. "Obviously, Thomas Jones is a guy who is very intriguing,'' Gruden told the Tampa Tribune. "He's got great quickness and suddenness and hopefully he can continue to improve throughout the rest of this season and take that into next season.'' The move makes sense considering Pittman is facing trial on domestic abuse charges in January and may not be around for next season.

New York Jets: DE John Abraham has had an up and down season, though it's mostly been down. But it may have reached its lowpoint as the New York Post is reporting that he will miss the rest of the season because of a strained groin muscle that's been slow to heal. Monday the team downgraded Abraham to "out" on the injury report. "He's not coming along as well as we anticipated at this point," coach Herman Edwards told the Post.

Washington Redskins: RBs Trung Canidate and Ladell Betts were injured in Sunday's 20-7 victory over the New York Giants, continuing the recent health problems in the Redskins backfield. Canidate sprained his left foot early in the second half and he'll be held out of practice Wednesday. Betts took a hit on his previously fractured forearm during his lone carry of the game and spent the rest of the day on the bench. Like Canidate, he'll also be held out of practice. Coach Steve Spurrier isn't sure if either will be available to play against the Cowboys, meaning RB John Simon could see more action. "With Ladell out and Trung possibly out, it's maybe a good opportunity for John Simon to play quite a bit this week," Spurrier told the Washington Times.


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