jhenderson@tampatrib.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Cadillac Williams had just cut to the right and headed for the sideline late in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium when his right knee gave way as he planted. Panthers safety Chris Harris arrived a half-second later, crashing high into Williams to bring him down after an 18-yard gain.

Williams bent backward from the hit, his leg tucked awkwardly under him.

"Hurt. Pain," he said, when asked what he remembers from that play.

He ruptured three tendons in his right knee, including the patellar tendon. The patellar helps hold the kneecap in place and is vital to a running back's acceleration. An injury like the one Williams had can be catastrophic to a running back.

That was 14 months ago.

Cadillac returns to Charlotte tonight for the first time since that injury in a high-stakes game. The Bucs and Panthers play on "Monday Night Football" with first place in the NFC South and a clear path to a division title in their hands.

"Hopefully for him, and only he can answer this, it's not a reminder that brings back haunting memories, but one that allows him to maybe get on the field and put the past behind him," Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia said.

Caddy was activated two games ago, and last week against the Saints he scored his first touchdown since the injury. He appears likely to assume a prominent role in the offense, given that Earnest Graham is lost for the season.

"It's a process. I keep trying to remind myself of that," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "I've got a lot of people in my ear telling me what's right and what's wrong. I think right now we've got the green light and hopefully you see a little bit more of him."

It's a remarkable comeback story already, but there is one big step Williams needs to take.

"We all know that's where the big tragedy happened," Cadillac said.

He is ready to face it.

"It's a big game regardless of the circumstance with me," he said. "Whoever wins can pretty much control their own destiny, and then you add on 'Monday Night Football,' and then you add on what took place with me there last year, and I'm fired up. This can put all the whispers and doubters away, get everybody on the bandwagon."

It's something of a miracle - even with his diligent rehab work - that he is back on a field so soon. Everyone knew the deal as Caddy was carted off the field.

"As a teammate, man, it was sad. To see a guy who had success and worked so hard to have an injury like that and have it labeled career-ending, it was shocking," Michael Clayton said.

"That's part of the reality we have in the NFL. Anything can happen and you never know what it will be. Mentally, he is a better person now. He is stronger on a day-to-day basis because of that injury. He made it back, man."

Just one more ghost is left to banish.

"I'm good. I wouldn't say I'm perfect - I'm sure a lot of players out here aren't perfect," he said. "But I feel good, the knee feels good, the knee has responded to the pounding. We haven't had any setbacks."

Photo: Cadillac Williams

Photo credit: Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Photo: Bucs running back Cadillac Williams, running against the Saints last week, is ready to face the Panthers tonight.

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