Because we've been wondering what kind of strain it has been to keep four quarterbacks on the roster this season, we asked Jon Gruden today about the possibility of a still-injured Brian Griese going to injured reserve or another quarterback losing his spot on the active roster.

Gruden responded with a couple of points: The Bucs are going to give Griese's elbow more time to heal and rookie Josh Johnson isn't going anywhere.

"You don't see Josh Johnson on the practice field, but I assure you, we're not going to do anything to lose Josh Johnson now."

The fifth-round pick out of San Diego is essentially stashed on the active roster this season while he is groomed for the future. The Bucs, who have had to release several players this season to open up needed roster spots, would risk losing him for good if they attempted to release him and subsequently place him on the practice squad. Players on the practice squad can be signed outright by any team, so long as they are placed on that team's active roster.

You might recall the Bucs initially kept four quarterbacks on their active roster last season, but Chris Simms was placed on injured reserve when Michael Pittman was injured and the need to sign a free-agent running back arose.