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Josh McCown back to throwing at practice

 
Josh McCown, left, started the first three games and was 0-3 with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He left the loss at Atlanta on Sept. 18 with a torn ligament in his right thumb.
Josh McCown, left, started the first three games and was 0-3 with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He left the loss at Atlanta on Sept. 18 with a torn ligament in his right thumb.
Published Oct. 21, 2014

TAMPA — The bye week was good for quarterback Josh McCown, who returned to practice Monday and had his first extensive throwing session since tearing a ligament in his right thumb in Week 3 at Atlanta.

McCown, 35, still wore a wrap but didn't appear to have any trouble making short and intermediate throws in individual drills during the portion of practice open to the media.

"He threw the ball fairly well today," coach Lovie Smith said. "And we're encouraged by his progress."

McCown went 0-3 as a starter with two touchdowns and four interceptions before being injured in the first half of the Bucs' 56-14 loss to the Falcons on Sept. 18.

Backup Mike Glennon has played better, going 1-2 and passing for 986 yards with seven touchdowns and three INTs. His 6.94 yards per attempt is higher than McCown's 6.18.

It seems unlikely the Bucs would turn to McCown on Sunday against Minnesota, especially if he is not 100 percent. In any case, the earliest Smith will tip his hand would be Wednesday.

"I think all decisions are pretty easy in the end," Smith said. "Guys tell you exactly what you need to do, who needs to start, who needs to play. There aren't any tough decisions in the end. I can't wait until we get to the point when I can come in here and talk to you about both of our guys being healthy and ready to go. The rest of that stuff will take care of itself.

"He was able to practice, to get some reps in today."

McCown wasn't the only player back. S Dashon Goldson practiced for the first time since spraining his ankle Sept. 28 at Pittsburgh. He missed two games.

Among those not practicing Monday: WR Vincent Jackson, LBs Jonathan Casillas and Danny Lansanah, T Anthony Collins and S Keith Tandy.

Trade winds blowing?: According to various reports, the Bucs declined an offer to trade for Seahawks WR Percy Harvin, who was dealt to the Jets, and are fielding a lot of calls from teams interested in trading for Jackson.

While Smith won't close the door on any opportunity to improve the Bucs, it doesn't seem Jackson will depart by next week's trade deadline.

"We like our football team that we're going with, that we have here right now," Smith said. "We're not trying to shop any of our players, to answer any questions out there. And it's people — if they call about some of their players, we take all calls. We don't (say), 'Oh, this area code? We're not going to take this call.'

"We listen to what everybody has to say, and we go from there. You see who's on our roster today. I would just kind of go with that."

signing: The Bucs plan to sign WR/KR Trindon Holliday, who worked out Monday. The 5-foot-5 Holliday was released by the Giants on Oct. 6. He also played for the Texans (2010-12) and Broncos (2012-13). He runs a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. Holliday became the first player to return a punt and kickoff for a TD in the same playoff game for Denver vs. the Ravens on Jan. 12, 2013. The impending signing of Holliday may not be good news for rookie Solomon Patton, an undrafted rookie from Florida. Patton is 12th in the NFL with a 23.1 kickoff return average and eighth with an 11.2 punt return average.