It was a freak accident, one that left Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden admittedly freaked out, and leaves the Bucs without their starting right guard for at least a month.

Third-year veteran Cosey Coleman, who started all 16 games in 2001, was simply setting up in his pass block stance before Monday night's preseason game with Miami, when he changed directions and tore the meniscus cartilage in his left leg. There was no contact in the event, just too much torque on the knee, and Coleman had to be taken from the field on a cart.

The former University of Tennessee star, chosen in the second round of the 2000 draft, underwent arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair the cartilage. He will be sidelined at least four weeks and that includes the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

"I've seen guys get hurt after they made field goals, I've seen guys get hurt spiking balls, but I can't say I've seen a guy get hurt in pregame warm-ups," said a stunned Gruden. "We expect four weeks (for rehabilitation). Obviously, it's a blow to our football team. We hope to have Cosey back before then, but it's very unfortunate."

The injury leaves Tampa Bay suddenly facing a shortage of healthy bodies at guard and the club might have to move a tackle inside to make up for Coleman's loss. Fifth-year backup Todd Washington, already battling swelling in his knee, started on Monday and figures to temporarily assume the No. 1 spot.

Tampa Bay offensive line coach Bill Muir switched second-year pro Kenyatta Walker from left tackle to right tackle at the outset of camp, and the team was hoping Coleman would be a stabilizing force for him. The injury also means that the Bucs will start the '02 campaign minus both their starting guards from a year ago. Randall McDaniel retired in the spring and the club signed former New York Jets starter Kerry Jenkins to replace him.

Gruden allowed the Bucs will look outside the organization for help as well.

"We're going to have to adjust," he said. "There's no question that we're going to have to look around and see who's available."

Tampa Bay was counting on Coleman, a very athletic guard who fits well into what Gruden wants to do, to step up his game this year. Asked if Coleman was a very good player, Gruden on Saturday replied: "Yeah, that's the thing. He's very good. We want him to be great, because he can be."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.