By ROGER MILLS, JOANNE KORTH
Published August 26, 2004
TAMPA - After missing virtually all of training camp and the first two preseason games with a bone spur in his left foot, starting left tackle Derrick Deese was in the mix and able to participate in limited drills Wednesday.
It is unlikely Deese will be ready for Saturday's game against the Dolphins, but the Bucs are targeting a possible return for the preseason finale in Houston. Deese had surgery Aug. 10.
"I actually thought the wound would heal a little bit faster, but there's not a lot of blood that flows to the top of the foot so it's a little harder for it to heal," said Deese, who said his injury is about 75 to 80 percent healed. "Today was my third day of actually getting on the field to do any kind of stuff. I worked out with (strength) coach ( Garrett) Giemont and everything was good."
While the Bucs have been pleased with the development of backup left tackle Anthony Davis, who has worked with the first and second units, the team expects Deese to start on opening day.
Deese expects the same.
"Now it becomes kind of a hurry-up type of thing, a learn-on-the-go situation," he said. "Those are things you try not to get involved in when you come to a new team. You definitely want to be at practice, definitely want to jell along the offensive line and you want to work out and show your leadership. Not being able to do that in one aspect is kind of frustrating, but I know I'll be back, so it's a little easier that way."
Deese said he hopes to start running by Saturday, return to practice next week and play in Thursday's game at Houston.
"I did a lot of things (Wednesday) that I haven't been able to do," he said. "Now it's just keeping the swelling down and making sure that I don't overdo it too fast too soon."
GALLOWAY MISSES THREE STRAIGHT: Receiver Joey Galloway missed his third straight day of practice while resting a sore groin. With the receiver corps depleted with the absence of Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius, the Bucs can ill-afford any complications with Galloway and are taking a cautious approach.
"Over the years when he's gone to camp, with the amount of running day after day, he's had some groin problems that require him to rest a few days," coach Jon Gruden said. "He's got it under control, and it didn't look like he had any lingering problems in Jacksonville the other night."
INTRODUCING GARNER AND GIBSON: Running back Charlie Garner, who sat out the first two preseason games, is expected to play against the Dolphins.
"We think he can play," Gruden said. "Look for him to play a little bit in the game. He's not going to play a lot."
The same won't be true for newly acquired defensive tackle Oliver Gibson, who signed Friday and likely will see quite a bit of action against the Dolphins.
"He's had three really good practices," Gruden said. "He's a load in there. We look to get him in there early and play a lot in this game, see where he is. We think he's got a chance to help us."
