QB Byron Leftwich is nursing what's been described as a very minor groin strain and was forced by the coaching staff to sit out today's practice.

"I could have went today," Leftwich said. "That's Raheem and them. You have to talk to them. They shut me down. . . I just tweaked my groin a little bit."

Leftwich said he would be ready to go during next week's minicamp.

His absence Thursday opened the door for more meaningful reps for Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson. Freeman had perhaps the throw of the day, launching a deep ball about 50 yards through the air to WR Pat Carter. That placed the ball at the goal line, setting up Freeman's touchdown pass on the following play to WR Kelly Campbell, who caught a fade pass against CB Kyle Arrington from the first-round pick.