The Bucs may be trying to clinch a playoff berth against the Falcons without QB Jeff Garcia. Garcia was limited in practice again on Thursday by a calf injury that threatens his status on Sunday.

“I’m not listing him here as limited because he’s full-go,” coach Jon Gruden said Thursday. “He is limited. We are concerned. We’ll be optimistic. It’s a calf injury. It’s not the same part of the calf [as Garcia's training camp injury] but it is a concern. … It’s part of life. Hopefully he can get well within the next day or two. We need him.”

Without Garcia, and with veteran Brian Griese also limited, Luke McCown has been taking most of the snaps. Gruden also said he could foresee a situation where the Bucs wait as long as possible and make several players a game-time decision.

DT Chris Hovan (knee), DT Jovan Haye (knee) and WR Michael Clayton (toe) are among those who are battling injuries.

“I was criticized last year for holding players out of games,” Gruden said. “We want the guys to play. A lot of guys we’re talking about are legitimately hurt.”

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