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Gruden: Garcia Likely To Play Sunday At Atlanta

Tribune file photo by JAY CONNER

Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia injured his right calf this week during individual drills.

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2008

Updated: 12/12/2008 02:11 pm

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia spent most of today's workout watching from the sidelines. He's not likely to do the same come game time Sunday in Atlanta.

Though he was limited by a sore calf for the third straight day, Garcia is expected to start Sunday's crucial NFC South game against the Falcons at the Georgia Dome.

What happens after that is anyone's guess.

"Jeff's our starter and I'll leave it at that," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said when pressed on the matter. "If we have to make an adjustment we will."

Any adjustment the Bucs make likely would be turning to backup Luke McCown, who has not played a snap all season but took a large portion of the first-team reps in practice this week.

After talking to Garcia and his team trainers, however, Gruden is optimistic he won't have to go to an alternate plan, that Garcia will function just fine despite the ailment and lack of practice time.

"You never like to see a guy not practice, especially at that position, but [Garcia] is an experienced guy," Gruden said. "He did take some reps yesterday and the day before, so he has participated to a degree.

"This is a tough situation, but around the league guys do miss time at the quarterback position and sometimes it does reflect in their performance. Sometimes, guys play better after they get an extra day to heal."

Garcia declined all interview requests today and was listed as questionable on the Bucs official injury report, a designation that carries a 50-50 chance of playing. He isn't the only Bucs starter whose status for Sunday's game is in question.

Defensive tackle Jovan Haye and nose tackle Chris Hovan, critical components of the Bucs' run defense, have been limited by knee problems. Both worked out today in an effort to determine how much they'll be able to play Sunday.

"We'll get them off their feet tomorrow, take them to the stadium and zip them around there before the game," Gruden said.

Hovan is hopeful he can play Sunday. Haye is feeling better than a few days ago, but still unsure if he can play.

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