Gruden concerned about Galloway

Jon Gruden says receiver Joey Galloway (shoulder) is doubtful for Sunday's regular-season finale against Carolina and added that he was "concerned" about Galloway's status going forward, too. But don't lose sleep over Galloway possibly missing the first-round playoff game against the Giants next weekend. Frankly, this sounds like a bit of drama from Gruden, who probably never intended to play Galloway against Carolina, anyway. Still, the coach is sticking to his story.

"We're not making this up, so I'm concerned," Gruden said after this morning's practice. Ike Hilliard is questionable with a knee injury, another potential blow to the receiving corps even though the offensive starters aren't expected to play much this week.

"If Ike can't go, we've lost six receivers," Gruden said. "I've never heard of losing two or three. When you throw in (David) Boston and Paris Warren and Mark Jones and Maurice Stovall, you're talking about six."

Galloway's doubtful status translates to a 25 percent chance he will play, according to NFL injury-reporting guidelines. The strange thing about the Galloway situation was that he was listed on Wednesday and Thursday as having not practiced as the result of a team decision. That indicates he was held out purposely rather than prevented from practicing because of injury.

Whatever the case, my guess is Galloway will be suiting up in the playoffs and the shoulder will no longer be an issue. But, for now, I suppose this is as much intrigue as we can expect to have for a meaningless season finale.

EDIT, 5:20 p.m.: Since I posted this earlier in the day, the Bucs have submitted their official injury report to the league. On it, they have listed Galloway as "out" of Sunday's game. However, in the injury column, there is no mention of the shoulder injury. Instead, it states the reason for his missing the game as a team decision. So, basically, the Bucs have decided they're not playing him this week. You can pretty much draw the conclusion from this that the shoulder is fine and won't keep him out of next week's playoff game. Basically, you can't say the guy's status for a game is affected by an injury if that's not really the case.

I realize that's confusing. Hope it all makes sense.

Comments

[Rick CeLomte]

Gruden should rest Galloway this weekend AND the opening round of the playoffs vs The Giants so that he'd be healthy for Cowboys or Packers game. Trust me, Eli will throw atleast 3 picks for TD's and we won't even need an offense to beat The Giants!

[Patricia Thurner]

I agree with you Rick. Why even risk Galloway against the Giants??? That way, he'll have 2 more full weeks to get ready for the Divisional Playoff round.

[Gracie Crooning]

I totally disagree!! He is the light of our fooseball team

[Stephan Chazmap]

Hey Crooning! Even though you can't spell Football your analysis is correct. With Galloway out we may not see a 2nd game in the post season.

[Deb Lemons]

If he can play...play him!!

[brown]

Fooseball team?

No, he can't sit out the home playoff game. In the playoffs, look ahead of the game right in front of you. It's win or go home. Sitting him against the Giants (when we really don't have a lot of offensive playmakers to begin with) would be a bad decision.

you can't look ahead, I meant to say

[rocky]

Without Galloway to stretch the Giants defense, we would be doomed. The Giants D would dominate us without Galloway. He will play vs the Giants.

[Stephen Holder]

Seriously, gang: I would bet my mortgage that Galloway will play against NY. If he doesn't, it won't be because of this shoulder injury. That's my two cents, at least. This might be just Gruden's way of justifying keeping Joey on the sideline on Sunday. But, to be honest, did anyone really expect him to play much anyway? All the drama seems kind of unnecessary.

[Dwayne]

i was wondering does anybody think we should give ex bengals & seahawks peter warrick a call or Charles rodgers or even Edeel shepard to come help or depleted receiving corps, Shepard already knows the playbook even though he dropped that pass 2 years ago to win the game, but Rodgers maybe should deserve a shot we give everyone else a shot.

[Dwayne]

wat do u think about that stephen?

[warren]

If anyone says sit him against the Giants you are crazy, you live one game to the next. Not to mention the Giants match us very well. Im concerned.

[big d]

After the game against Carolina you better believe we should play every startin player we can.Benchin an available reciever can an will end in an early defeat out the playoffs.We are and still will be that same championship team from 2000,and if every one wheather its defence or offence play to their best ability we can be lookin for another shot at it .Keep the blitz an more cb pressure coverage use more 4'3 cover 2 spy zones wit harder hittin we got the defence to bang wit the best of em so act like it if you want that ring.Big ups to that fierce 55 Brooks, Barber,an the G-sqaud its all are nothing guys lets get it.

[mikey]

I don't believe a word of what Gruden says about injuries. See Sims and Boston for examples. He insisted they were not hurt, then both to IR.

[Bert]

Hey rick and Pat, don't play Galloway against the Giants and he and the rest of the team will have 6 months to get ready for training camp.

Patricia and Rick must be on something. How you can rest your best player on offense and think the Bucs will be the Giants? They have a good running game and a great pass rush which could spell trouble for the Bucs.

[Stephen Holder]

Okay, everyone, check out the addendum I just added to this post. It should clear up some of the questions. This is starting to become much ado about nothing, it seems.

[cw]

Wow what an incendiary message board...imagine if this game vs. Carolina actually meant something. I say sit everybody, even Gradkowski! Let Gruden, Allen, Kiffin, Muir and the lot of coaches suit up for 60 minutes.

[Neil]

How can some of you say sit Galloway against the Giants to get ready for the 2nd round of the playoffs!?? Thats completely insane! I think we will beat the Giants too...but it's not going to be easy at all. The Giants are a really good team and in my opinion are only a consistent QB away from being right there with the Packers and Cowboys in the NFC.

[simmba94]

okay fine, we're in the playoffs, we still need to win this game. Do you all not know the history of this team. Let's just bust their azz and then worry about the next game. For tooo long we havent had that luxury. I think that these other guys on the board forget that. There are fans that know everything from 76 forward. Dont cheat us. Let' s go to playoffs and see what happens. Divisional playoffs vs. the Cowboys. And we can take them too. You just gotta believe. I'm happy the Bucs are in the playoffs. One more opp for me to root them on from afar ( i lived in Oakland when we when to the SUper Bowl......I can tell u some stories.....I wish i was in SD....ALAS

[DR]

In all seriousness, reading this blog made me dumber. I've never read such football nonsense in my entire life. My 56 year old nephew would have better insight on the Bucs than you guys. The Bucs cannot look past any team in this league. To look past the Giants is just absurd. The Patriots aren't even looking past the Giants but the Bucs are?!? You guys are F'n idiots. Giants vs Cowboys and Seahawks versus Packers in the second round.

[Daniel]

DR, While I am total agreement the Bucs can't look past the Giants or any team for that matter, anything can happen in the playoffs. The Skins or Vikings can beat the Seahawks and either the Bucs or Giants can win. I am watching the Giants play the Pats now and I must say they look pretty impressive. Their O-line is stout, their D-line is the best in the NFC(They lead the NFL in sacks). If Eli is upright and protected, he is better than the NY media make him out to be. The Giants-Bucs game will be a lot tougher than most fans on this board expect.

[karac]

the thing about the bucs is they are the only team who are great by playing as a team if they all play their positions right they don't have to rely on single players they can be dominant as a tea and tems win championships