Bucs' Garcia 'unlikely' to play vs. Dolphins

Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Jeff Garcia, left, who has a calf strain, is just watching Luke McCown (12) and the rest of his teammates during practices.
	[JAMES BORCHUCK | Times]

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LAKE BUENA VISTA — QB Jeff Garcia said Tuesday he will return to practice soon, but he doesn't believe he will play in Saturday's preseason opener in Miami.

"I don't think I've been ruled out but I think it's highly unlikely," he said after Tuesday's morning session. "It's just one of those things. I haven't practiced in a few days and I'm sure Coach wouldn't want to throw me out there not having practiced.

"Also it's preseason. It's not a sense of getting ready for this one, but making sure I'm ready for the opener of the season."

Garcia, out since Thursday with a calf strain, was on the practice field for the first time Tuesday morning, but only as a spectator.

The Bucs have been cautious with Garcia's injury. He said he doesn't believe the injury is serious and is confident that he will get the preseason practice reps and game time he needs to be ready for the regular season. But Garcia, 38, has had few muscle strains in the past — last year's hamstring tweak was the first — so when the injury occurred, he didn't know the severity.

"It was something that, when it happened, I didn't know how bad it was and I was thankful it wasn't as bad as it felt, I guess," he said.

PRACTICE REPORT: Coach Jon Gruden said he saw too many drops — on offense and defense — in the morning session. "We had a couple key drops, one down the field and one on a key third and 12," Gruden said. "You can't drop the ball, but most things considered, we were pleased today. … Our linebackers are dropping too many interceptions. We've dropped, I think, five now in camp, so we've got something to work on in our individual (workouts Tuesday afternoon)."

ODDS AND ENDS: WR Joey Galloway (groin) did not practice but continued to run routes on a back field. DB Sammy Davis was out with a hip flexor and is day to day. T Jovan Haye (groin), WR Antonio Bryant (knee) and FB B.J. Askew (ankle) did not practice. … Veterans Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn will host a benefit golf event on Jan. 29-30 at Cypress Run in Tarpon Springs to raise money for their foundations. … Gruden was pleased with the route running and speed of rookie Dexter Jackson at receiver.

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Bucs' Garcia 'unlikely' to play vs. Dolphins

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