Cody

Grimm

Grimm took a helmet to the knee from teammate Geno Hayes. He’s likely done for the afternoon.

It appears to be a potentially serious injury. Grimm took a helmet to the knee in the third quarter, and had to be carted off. The Bucs may have to reconsider bringing back FS Tanard Jackson from the reserve/suspended list.

Grimm’s season ended in late September after tearing the meniscus and MCL in his right knee. Now healthy six months later, Grimm starts the offseason program atop the depth chart with the rest of the team’s safeties in flux. DT Gerald McCoy (biceps) is also participating this week.

The Bucs no longer use safeties interchangeably, so Grimm is now strictly a strong safety. Ahmad Black is FS Ronde Barber’s backup. Grimm was a solid starter his first two seasons, but durability has been a big concern. He’s missed 18-of-32 possible games so far in his career. He’ll be a special teamer in 2012.

Gilreath could be a threat to Roscoe Parrish, who has averaged 7.7 yards per on 18 punt returns. S Cody Grimm (hamstring) and OL Jeremy Trueblood (undisclosed) were placed on injured reserve, in corresponding moves.

Trueblood suffered a shoulder injury in Week 12. He had been operating as a swing lineman after losing his starting job to Demar Dotson. Trueblood seems unlikely to return as a 2013 free agent. Grimm was primarily a special teamer before injuring his hamstring in Week 9.

Grimm tore the ligaments on a play in which his knee knocked Geno Hayes unconscious while hitting the linebacker’s helmet. Larry Asante and Corey Lynch are candidates to fill in this week, though Tanard Jackson may be returning from suspension shortly. Grimm has exceeded expectations as a 2010 seventh-rounder, but he’s now ended up on injured reserve in both seasons with the Bucs.

Grimm went down in the third quarter of Week 3 while trying to make a play on Michael Turner. It’s the second straight year that the free safety is going to end up on injured reserve -- Grimm broke his leg last season. The Bucs may have to bring Tanard Jackson off the reserve/suspended list. For now, Corey Lynch and Larry Asante will battle to start at free safety.

The St. Petersburg Times reported early Monday that Grimm has a torn ACL, but coach Raheem Morris was more optimistic in his day-after press conference. Morris said Grimm “definitely” has an MCL injury, but may have avoided an ACL tear. The Bucs will turn to Larry Asante and Corey Lynch for an in-practice battle at free safety until Grimm returns. It appears the Bucs have no intentions of activating suspended FS Tanard Jackson at this time.

Jackson was also given a raise from $705,000 to $1 million for the remainder of this season. His base salary for 2012 will jump to $2 million with bonuses for each game on the 53-man roster. As long as he stays off the illegal substances, Jackson is the team’s best safety. The Bucs are showing a good deal of faith here, perhaps due to Cody Grimm’s injury history.