Raheem The Dream dropped the sad news at his Monday news conference: starting defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson is done for the season with a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).

Fans watched Wilkerson hit the turf early in the first quarter against the Saints and not return.

A few weeks ago Anwar Richardson, of TBO.com, reported that Mark Dominik was hungry re-sign the 28-year-old free agent to a two-year, $3 million deal so he wouldn’t test free agency.

“They’ve made it clear that they’d like to have him back and Jimmy’s made it clear that he wants to be back and we’ve been working toward that a little bit,” said Harold C. Lewis, Wilkerson’s agent. “We’re not close to having anything finalized yet, but we have talked in parameters and hope we can get something done.” 

Surely the Wilkerson deal is now off. No reason to give a contract to an average defensive end with a ripped up knee, who might not be ready for 2010. 

And frankly, this development has to change the Bucs’ entire approach to the offseason.

Before Wilkerson was hurt, many would argue the Bucs needed a serious upgrade at the position. Now it has to become a priority.

Joe feels for Wilkerson. A guy’s NFL life is short, and he was having his best season with six sacks and 46 tackles.