Bucs optimistic about Garcia, Galloway

The Bucs had a short day of practice today at Disney, wrapping up early after their morning session for Family Day.

Jeff Garcia was nowhere to be seen on the practice field, but Bucs coach Jon Gruden gave a positive prognosis on his injured starting quarterback, saying that Garcia put weight on his gimpy right leg. Garcia strained his right calf Thursday during a non-contact passing drill.

"Knowing him, it won’t be long," Gruden said. 

But it's still unclear whether Garcia will be ready to play in the Bucs' preseason opener against the Dolphins a week from today, but Gruden didn't appear concerned.

"Last year, he played three plays in the first game," he said. "Obviously, we’ll work on the rotations and what the injury front says to do when we get there."

It allowed the other quarterbacks to take reps with the first team, as Brian Griese and Luke McCown shared those snaps. Chris Simms even got in on the action, taking reps with the second-team offense on 7-on-7 drills.

Gruden also said that receiver Joey Galloway will likely return to practice Monday after missing the first week of camp with a groin injury. The Bucs have handled Galloway with kid gloves considering the fact that the team's No. 1 receiver has had groin problems in the past.

"He’s working his guts off and he’s running fast," Gruden said. "He’s very close to liftoff. And around the league, there’s some really good receivers that aren’t practicing here the first week of training camp. I think we did the right thing.

"Our white Tiger is about to come out of the cage and there’s a good chance Monday Bucs fans will see him."

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA