Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia is questionable for next week's game against the Atlanta Falcons with an ankle sprain, Jon Gruden said during his news conference Monday at One Buc Place.

Garcia, who battled calf and pinkie injuries during the preseason, has swelling on his ankle. Gruden said an update would come in the next couple of days.

The status of linebacker Derrick Brooks also is questionable at this time. Brooks left in the third quarter of Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Saints with a right hamstring strain.

Gruden expects to know more about the extent of Brooks' injury in the next 24 hours. If Brooks can't go, Cato June could move to his spot, or Quincy Black could see more playing time.

''We have the capability of moving people around a little bit,'' Gruden said.

Wide receiver Maurice Stovall is questionable with a neck strain.

Also:

• Gruden acknowledged that Garcia missed opportunities to make plays in the passing game: "We can call it rust or inactivity or whatever,'' he said, "but there's plays there that Jeff normally makes.''
• Gruden said he thought the Bucs ran the ball "extremely well'' and had some good looks in the passing game but didn't convert enough on third down. He said he thought guard Jeremy Zuttah, wide receiver Antonio Bryant and center Jeff Faine played well in their Bucs debuts.