One of the more heartwarming stories of the final one-third of the 2008 regular season was the return of Carnell “Cadillac” Williams from the torn right patellar tendon he suffered early last season.

It appears as though he might have to go through the same process again this offseason after he apparently tore the left one during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to Oakland.

After missing the first half of 2008, he returned for the last several games to rush 63 times for 233 yards and four touchdowns, including 78 yards and two touchdowns today, before suffering the injury.

Williams, according to multiple media reports, was writhing in pain and visibly frustrated by the injury. It’s hard not to pull for a guy like Cadillac, who has kept himself out of trouble since going pro and who worked so hard to get back from the first injury.

Word from the Bucs Beat at the St. Petersburg Times is that the patellar injury isn’t as serious this year. Good luck to the Cadillac for getting back in time for next season.