Jeff Garcia's injured back was sore Monday, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remained hopeful their 37-year-old quarterback will be able to play this week against the New Orleans Saints.
Garcia was hurt on the first play of Sunday's 19-13 victory over Washington. He left the game two plays later and remained on the sideline until the Redskins trimmed a 16-point halftime deficit to six early in the fourth quarter.
Coach Jon Gruden described the injury as a lower back bruise. He said the three-time Pro Bowl selection's status is day to day.
"He's a sore man right now," Gruden said, declining to speculate whether Garcia will play Sunday or if Bruce Gradkowski or Luke McCown would start if Garcia can't go.
Tampa's Garcia Sore, Day-To-Day