Starting C Jeff Faine is still at least a week away from returning to practice in a meaningful capacity.

Faine said after Sunday's game that though he would like to make an effort to play next Sunday at Philadelphia, the team's medical staff has told him to temper his enthusiasm.

But Faine said his triceps injury is much improved, saying he is ahead of schedule. The original prognosis called for him to miss as much as six weeks. Faine has missed three games since suffering the muscle strain in the season opener.

His loss has greatly affected pass protection and, perhaps to a greater extent, what was supposed to be a potent rushing attack.

Faine is predicting a return on Oct. 18 for the Bucs' home game against Carolina.