Bucs move on without Joey Galloway

Wide receiver Joey Galloway doesn't appear to be in the Bucs' plans, based on coach Jon Gruden's comments Tuesday at One Buc Place.

Galloway has had a limited role in the Bucs' offense since returning from groin and foot injuries and did not play in Monday's 38-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

In Galloway's absence, Antonio Bryant has become the Bucs' go-to receiver. Bryant had a career game against the Panthers, with nine catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns, including a spectacular one-handed grab.

''We're gonna play our best players, and Joey's had a lot go on this year with his injuries,'' Gruden said. "He's missed an awful lot of time. ... We've kind of moved on a little bit.''

Bryant's emergence is the reason Galloway isn't playing more, Gruden said.

''They play the same position,'' Gruden said. ''Right now that's just the way it is. It's just unfortunate. Michael Clayton's our flanker, Joey's a split end and so is Antonio. Those are the positions they play.”

Gruden did not sound optimistic when asked about putting Bryant and Galloway on the field at the same time.

"There's a potential for that,'' he said. "Joey's been our split end, and it sounds easy. It sounds achievable. Joey's not the kind of guy right now that's comfortable coming off the bench and playing 18-20 times a game. He's a guy who functions better when he's playing.''

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Joey Galloway's broken foot point of irritation?

Tampa Bay Bucs receiver Joey Galloway missed five weeks with what the Bucs orginally described as a right foot sprain he suffered against the Atlanta Falcons.

For weeks, coach Jon Gruden bemoaned the loss of Galloway, whom he referred to as the 'White Tiger,' for his rare appearance this season. Remember, he missed all of training camp and the preseason with a groin strain.

Now Galloway has come forward to admit that in fact his foot was broken against the Falcons and the club did not want that information public because they wanted other teams to prepare for the speedy receiver.

It's hard to imagine that was much of a competitive edge for the Bucs, but so be it. Now that Galloway is completely healthy, he rarely gets on the playing field. Antonio Bryant has taken Galloway's split end position and Michael Clayton is playing well at flanker. Because the Bucs rarely use three receivers, Galloway is the odd-man out, a tough position for a player who has enjoyed three, 1,000-yard receiving seasons with Tampa Bay.

But the Bucs and Galloway's reluctance to disclose the foot was broken made him appear like a player who didn't have the toughness to play with a foot sprain.

In the past three games, Galloway has four catches for 60 yards and did not have a reception last week against the Vikings.

"I'm sure it is tough on him,'' Gruden said of Galloway's new role. "It's been tough on us. We've had to make a lot of adjustments, not only at running back but in our receiving corps. But he plays the same position that Antonio Bryant plays and he can't deny the fact that Antonio is playing great. Not good, he's playing really outstanding football. They're kind of stacked at the same position. We're trying our best to utilize them both and we'll continue to do that.

"But Mike Clayton is having a solid year. His statistics may not say so, but put the tape on. He's really playing well, as is Ike Hilliard. Joey missed a lot of time late last season, missed a lot of the preseason -- all the preseason - he missed five or six games. We're in the process of doing the best we can to use everybody.''

When asked Thursday if Galloway's injury was more serious than he portrayed, Gruden said, "It was a six-week injury. I don't know how you portray anything. It was a six-week injury. I'll let him answer those questions. All I know is we play Detroit Sunday.''

Then Gruden ended the news conference.

Galloway, Talib being evaluated

Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway is getting evaluated after sustaining what the team called a foot sprain  Sunday against the Falcons. The Bucs expect to know more about his playing status on Wednesday, coach Jon Gruden said Monday during his weekly news conference.

Galloway left in the second half of the Bucs' 24-9 win and did not return. He was seen this morning hobbling around One Buc Place with the aid of crutches, an ominous sign heading into the week.

"At this point, there is some concern,'' Gruden said. "After we get the doctor's report, we'll let you know.''

Galloway, the Bucs' biggest deep threat, missed the entire preseason with a hamstring strain. If he can't play this week against the Chicago Bears, Maurice Stovall, who was inactive against the Falcons, will be available.

Gruden said the team also expects to know more about the extent of cornerback Aqib Talib's hamstring injury on Wednesday, though Talib said after the game he returned to the field briefly and did not fear the injury was serious.

Brian Griese appears to have earned another start at quarterback after going 18 of 31 for 160 yards and a touchdown in his first start for the Bucs in three seasons.

"We don't anticipate any changes at that position this week,'' Gruden said.

The role of quarterback Jeff Garcia, the Bucs' opening-week starter, "will be determined on a ''week-to-week basis,'' Gruden said.

Tight end Jerramy Stevens returns this week after being suspended the first two games for violating the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy. That means the Bucs will have to release a player from their active roster to make room. There is a chance that it could be another tight end, most likely Ben Troupe.

Asked about that possibility Monday, Gruden said only that there would be some tough decisions to make. That transaction could be made as early as today.

Morning update

A few notables are missing from practice:

Middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, who left practice early Saturday, is not on the field. Ryan Nece is taking his snaps.

Receiver Joey Galloway is absent, though he is a one-a-day guy and could come out for the afternoon session.

And rookie safety Sabby Piscitelli, who skipped Saturday's practice with "sore lowers," is watching but not practicing.

We'll see what Gruden has to say in a few minutes.