The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line isn't performing ideally while former starting right tackle Jeremy Trueblood watches.

Trueblood, the team's mainstay at the right tackle position over the last seven years, was edged out of his starting job after suffering an ankle injury in the team's Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers.

The Bucs ran for 130 yards as a team and rookie running back Doug Martin had the best game of his young career, running for 95 yards on 24 carries in the opener against the Panthers.

Since Trueblood's injury and eventual replacement by Demar Dotson, things have continued to trend downward for both Trueblood and the Bucs' rushing game.

Trueblood was inactive last week against the Washington Redskins in favor of the more versatile Jamon Meredith.

"I'm a right tackle," Trueblood said. "That's just what it is. I've never played anything else. (Schiano) told me straight up. He said, 'The other guy (Meredith) can play guard and tackle, so you're inactive.' I can't question a man's decision."

When asked what he thought his chances were to regain favor with the coaching staff and perhaps his starting position back, Trueblood was pretty certain he'd seen his last chance in Tampa Bay fade away.

"I feel like their decision's made," Trueblood said. "So I'm just going to continue to do what I have to do. It's the NFL and people get hurt all the time. I don't wish anything upon anyone, but you just have to be ready. Someone could get sick. Anything can happen. Preparation is important."

Run blocking is the staple of what it takes to be a successful right tackle in the NFL. If running the ball to the right side of the line continues to be a detriment to the Bucs' offensive game plan, Trueblood may see another opportunity before the sun sets on his Buccaneers career.

Quotes from Rick Stroud, Steven Holder and Joe Smith's Bucs Beat were used in this article.