Tampa Bay RB Cadillac Williams says he is ready to play this Sunday after learning RB Earnest Graham will likely miss the rest of the year.

Williams suffered a knee injury last season, but is ready to resume playing this week after many thought he could never play football again.

“I am ready to go,” Williams said. “I have put in a lot of work. I feel confident. I’m mentally ready and physically ready. I just hate the situation had to come like with with E.G. [Earnest Graham] going down, but that’s football. I’ll make the best of the opportunity.”

Ironically, Graham received his opportunity to play last year after Williams injured his knee. Now Williams has the opportunity to play after Graham injured his ankle against Minnesota on Sunday.

Williams has the chance to be Tampa Bay’s backup running back behind Warrick Dunn, while Clifton Smith could be the Bucs’ third option after he fumbled for a third consecutive game yesterday.

After being a part of contact drills yesterday, Williams was activated from the physically unable to perform list and Tampa Bay released RB Michael Bennett, who signed with San Deigo.

“That’s big because for one, I was able to get reps [last week] and get my wind back,” Williams said. “I have wear and tear on my body. The soreness I had last week has eased off. This week I can get prepared mentally to go out and play Sunday. I think last week was big.”

In addition, Williams believes the layoff could help him to become a better running back.

“I think I have learned to be more patient ... watching Warrick and E.G. and watching film on guys around the league,” Williams said. “Sometimes I just want to really, really get going. I think this time off [I learned], just being patient, sitting behind my blockers a lot better, in that area, I can improve.”