Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Derrick Ward has been shut out of his offense and now is shutting out the media.

Ward is no longer conducting interviews with the Tampa Bay media, but has given no explanation. Ward did not speak with the media after Tampa Bay’s recent 28-21 loss against Carolina. He had one carry for two yards, but fumbled a toss from quarterback Josh Johnson and he quickly was shut out of Tampa Bay’s offense.

Traditionally, Ward only speaks to the media on Thursday (media has locker room access on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). I spoke with Ward on Wednesday and asked him if he was going to speak on Thursday, mainly because he did not speak on Wednesday, and his reply was “No.”

When I asked him if he intended to speak with the media again this season, he said “I’m not doing anymore interviews.”

Keeping his word, Ward avoided the media again on Thursday and appears to be in shut down mode.