Advertisement

Bucs QB Josh McCown injuries throwing hand

 
Josh McCown is hit by Falcons cornerback Robert McClain in the second quarter. McCown left with an injured thumb.
Josh McCown is hit by Falcons cornerback Robert McClain in the second quarter. McCown left with an injured thumb.
Published Sept. 28, 2014

ATLANTA — In a half where everything seemed to go wrong for the Bucs, starting QB Josh McCown left in the second quarter of Thursday's 56-14 loss to the Falcons after injuring the thumb on his throwing (right) hand on a sack.

McCown, who had earlier seen his fourth interception of the season returned for a touchdown by S Kemal Ishmael, went 5-for-12 for 58 yards before the injury. He was replaced by second-year pro Mike Glennon, who started 13 games as a rookie last season. Glennon was 17-of-24 for 121 yards and a touchdown.

McCown said he'll have X-rays on the thumb, which he said he hit on a helmet on a throw.

No shutout: The Bucs trailed 56-0 in the fourth quarter, threatening the most lopsided loss (45 points twice) and points allowed (62) in team history. But Glennon threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson and LB Danny Lansanah returned a T.J. Yates pass for a touchdown to cut their deficit to 56-14, tied for the team's third-worst loss.

Injuries: The Bucs again missed four key players sidelined by injury: DT Gerald McCoy, RB Doug Martin, LB Mason Foster and rookie TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins were inactive. The Bucs also were without offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, who did not travel with the team and has been limited in the three weeks since having a heart procedure. Quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo called plays for the third game in a row. Tedford is expected to rejoin the team Monday and resume play-calling duties next week.

Nothing right: Even the Bucs' defensive takeaways turned into turnovers.

Trailing 7-0 early, the Bucs got their second takeaway of the season when CB Alterraun Verner forced a fumble from Falcons TE Levine Toilolo, with the loose ball bouncing into the arms of S Mark Barron.

But Barron fumbled, forced and recovered by Falcons WR Devin Hester, setting up the Falcons at the Bucs' 37-yard line. Atlanta scored to build a 35-0 lead before halftime.

It was an impressive first half for Hester, who played his first seven NFL seasons under Bucs coach Lovie Smith in Chicago. Hester had a 20-yard touchdown run on an end-around, then added a 62-yard touchdown on a punt return in the second quarter.

The former Miami Hurricane set a league record with his 20th career return touchdown. He had been tied with former Falcons star Deion Sanders, who was in the building Thursday as part of the NFL Network's broadcast team.

This one counts: The Bucs did come up with another takeaway, saving points in the second quarter as Falcons RB Antone Smith fumbled inside the Bucs' 5-yard line. The fumble was forced by nickel CB Leonard Johnson and recovered by DE Scott Solomon.

The Bucs added another recovery in impressive fashion. LB Lavonte David forced a fumble, and as the ball was bouncing out of bounds, S Dashon Goldson batted the ball back into play, where David recovered it.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

This and that: LB Brandon Magee, promoted from the practice squad this week, made his Bucs debut on the opening kickoff … Former first-round draft pick Larry English started at defensive end, though he had no tackles in the last game. DE Michael Johnson, who missed the last game with an ankle injury, did not start but played off the bench.

Contact Greg Auman at gauman@tampabay.com and (813) 226-3346. Follow @gregauman.