By Sheila Dwyer, Knee1 Staff
October 30, 2001
Keyshawn Johnson suffered a bruised knee in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 41-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Johnson, who was already playing with a sore right hip, left the game after the first half. The Buccaneers were leading 28-0 at the half and did not consider putting Johnson back in the game. He had made five catches for 62 yards in the first half.
The wide receiver has been playing all season with bumps and bruises. An MRI exam on Monday revealed no serious damage from Sunday’s game.
“He’s got great recuperative powers,” coach Tony Dungy told the Associated Press. “It’s going to be touch and go whether he’ll play. But he seems to line up for us every week, so we’re hoping he’ll be able to.”
This week, Johnson vowed to play in the team’s next game. On Monday, he said his hip felt fine and hoped that his knee would feel good by the weekend. “I’m more hurt than injured,” he told the AP. “I’ll be all right.”