Freeman says watching Bucs' practice Wednesday was part of plan

TAMPA - One day after taking all the practice snaps allotted to the starter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman barely took any at all - which apparently was the plan all along.

Freeman, who has been nursing a fractured right thumb (throwing hand) sustained early in the Bucs' second preseason game on Aug. 21, returned to the practice for the first time Tuesday. On Wednesday, he stood with the quarterbacks during the pre-practice warm up with his right thumb bandaged and without pads.

The decision not to practice on Wednesday was predetermined, Freeman said.

"I'm good,'' Freeman said. "It's part of the plan; no setbacks. It's part of the plan. It's called a plan because it's put in place before something happens. So it's a plan.''

The priority is Sunday's season opener against Cleveland, Bucs coach Raheem Morris said.

"Josh is right on schedule,'' Morris said. "We had the extra long week; we had the two long days, and you don't want to do anything to hurt the young man.

"You want the young man to be right on schedule to play in this week's game. It's about Sundays. It's about getting him prepared and acclimated with his team.''

The Bucs' plan for Thursday's practice calls for Freeman to once again handle all the reps usually allotted to the projected starter for Sunday's game, Morris said.

"He did all we need him to do (Wednesday)and come (Thursday) he'll be out there going full blast again,'' Morris said.

Early in Wednesday's practice, Freeman wore a baseball cap and watched as Josh Johnson and Rudy Carpenter handled the center-exchange drill. Freeman continued to watch during the individual portion of the workout, where the quarterbacks loosen up their arms and throw to receivers, but was more active during the beginning of the play installation period.

Freeman stood under center with the first-team offense for the beginning of that period, simulating the motion of taking a snap and handing the ball off to running backs as the team walked through its plays.

Freeman practiced Tuesday without the aid of a bandage, splint or glove. He came away from that workout expressing confident about his chances of playing Sunday.

"It was good,'' he said. "Everything went well. I felt really good (Tuesday).''

Freeman said after Tuesday's practice he didn't see any reason to change his plan to play Sunday or to play without the aid of a bandage, splint or glove.

One of the main concerns the Bucs had with Freeman's thumb centered around the damage that could be done as he took snaps from directly under center. Freeman said he had no issue with those snaps Tuesday.