Tom Crabtree Injury: Buccaneers tight end carted off the field with ankle injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just suffered what could be a major blow in their fourth preseason game. Tom Crabtree suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury and had to be carted off the field against the Washington Redskins. He suffered the injury when playing as a lead blocker for running back Mike James, as his leg got trapped underneath a falling offensive lineman.

Tom Crabtree is a projected starter and the only capable receiving tight end the Bucs really have. While we don't know how serious the injury is, players don't get carted off the field for fun. The Bucs said that he would not return during the game. Which means it's bad.

If the Bucs are lucky, it's a minor high ankle sprain that keeps him out for a few weeks. That's if they're lucky. In the mean time, they'll have to start finding some new solutions at multiple positions. Erik Lorig is still injured, which means they have an issue at fullback aside from their fairly massive issue at tight end. Luke Stocker, Nate Byham and Danny Noble are not the guys competing for playing time as starters. That's bad.

More from Bucs Nation:

• Buccaneers place DE Aaron Morgan on Reserve/Injured
• Redskins vs. Buccaneers Preseason 2013: Roster Cheat Sheet
• Redskins vs. Buccaneers Preview: Players on the roster bubble
• NFL settle concussion lawsuit with retired players, including 243 former Buccaneers
• Redskins vs. Buccaneers Preview: Six questions with Hogs Haven