TAMPA, Fla. -- For the first time in over a month, Josh McCown practiced Monday. But coach Lovie Smith wasn’t about to say if the quarterback would step back into the starting job.

McCown suffered a sprained right thumb in the Week 3 loss to Atlanta and Mike Glennon has been starting since. There are no official injury reports on Mondays and Smith wasn’t about to break tradition.

“Wednesday I can talk a little bit more,’’ Smith said. “Monday is kind of an extra day. As we talked about (at the start of the season) on Monday practices I’m not going to talk about injuries. That part hasn’t changed. But Wednesday we’ll talk a little bit more.’’

Smith couldn’t have talked less about his quarterback situation. He gave a quick answer when asked how McCown looked.

“He was able to practice and get reps in today,’’ Smith said. “So he’s making progress.’’

You can make an argument that there shouldn’t even be a question that Glennon should remain the starter. The passing game has been much more productive with Glennon than it was with McCown.

But nothing would surprise me on this one. That’s because Smith is big on loyalty. In Chicago, Smith once boosted Rex Grossman into the starting lineup after Kyle Orton had played well in his place.

McCown was Smith’s hand-picked quarterback and he went through the entire offseason and preseason getting all the first-team work. I easily can see Smith going back to McCown. Smith wouldn’t shed any light on his intentions, but he did say the decision will take care of itself.

“I think all decisions are pretty easy in the end,’’ Smith said. “Guys tell you exactly what you need to do, who needs to start, who needs to play. There aren’t any tough decisions in the end, the way I see it. I can’t wait to get to the point where I can come in here and talk to you about both of our guys being healthy and ready to go. The rest of the stuff will take care of itself.’’