Pat Yasinskas, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Josh McCown making progress for Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. -- After a full week of practice, Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown said he’s pleased with the progress of his injured right thumb.

 McCown has been out since suffering the injury in a Week 3 loss to Atlanta. He began practicing on Monday.

“It’s just been a day-to-day thing, and every day it feels a little bit better,’’ McCown said after Friday's practice. “It was good to get a little more work in this week and get a better feel for it.’’

All indications are that Mike Glennon will start Sunday’s game against Minnesota. But the big question is if McCown will be activated as the backup. McCown said that decision is up to coach Lovie Smith. But McCown said he’d be ready at any time.

“If I were to play at any time, I’d feel confident in playing,’’ McCown said. “Whether that’s this Sunday or a couple of Sundays from now -- any time you go on the field, you better feel confident in playing.’’

McCown, who still was wearing a wrap on his right hand, said he’s had to temper his enthusiasm about getting back on the field to avoid any setbacks.

“It’s hard not to want to push the gas on it and really throw yourself all into it,’’ McCown said. “It’s different than a leg injury or something like that. You can do everything else. You can take your drops. You can do everything but the main thing for a quarterback and that’s to throw. Being able to throw a little bit more this week has been helpful.’’

In other injury news, the Bucs are relatively healthy. Linebacker Brandon Magee (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday. Smith said all the team’s other injured players should be available.

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