TAMPA – The Buccaneers might have lost starting running back LeGarrette Blount for the 2012 season opener – and perhaps beyond – as he suffered a potentially serious injury to his left knee when he was tackled by a host of Titans, including linebacker Zach Brown and safety Al Afalava, on a 4-yard run prior to the two-minute warning before halftime.

Blount stayed down on the turf for several minutes writhing in pain as trainers attended to him, and a gasp from the crowd was heard as the the replay was shown on the Jumbotron. The 6-foot, 247-pound running back was able to walk off the field under his own power, but was limping noticeably and did not return.

Blount and Tampa Bay’s offense struggled in the first half against Tennessee as he rushed for 11 yards on eight carries. The Bucs trailed the Titans 20-7 at halftime.

The Oregon product is battling rookie Doug Martin for the starting running back job, and the team’s first-round draft pick in 2012 had the better night, rushing for 23 yards on seven carries, in addition to a 9-yard run being called back due to a holding penalty. Last week against Miami in the 2012 preseason opener, Blount rushed for 30 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

Blount has been Tampa Bay’s leading rusher over the past two seasons, running for 1,788 yards and 11 touchdowns on 385 carries (4.6 avg.), including 781 yards and five scores on 184 carries (4.2 avg.) last year.