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Leaf uncertain about his wrist

By ROGER MILLS and RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 31, 2001

TAMPA -- Quarterback Ryan Leaf (sore right wrist) missed a second straight day of practice Thursday and continues to be questionable for tonight's final preseason game at Atlanta.

The 25-year-old Leaf said he will try to throw before the game at the Georgia Dome. It is unlikely he will play, however, and team officials have not ruled out placing Leaf on injured reserve.

Leaf has been hampered by a sore throwing wrist, the result of an injury with the Chargers. But the condition has worsened and Leaf no longer is able to throw without discomfort.

"It's gotten increasingly a little bit worse," he said. "But all I'm concerned about it is for me it's a day-to-day deal. The training staff has done a good job. "We'll see how it feels. It's just a little tight. We're going day by day with it and hope she gets better. Especially with the way things went last weekend. Hopefully, it'll get a chance to get better and we'll just keep going."

If Leaf is placed on injured reserve, his season is over. Doctors have recommended surgery to repair the wrist after the season. But that timetable may be accelerated.

"What the deal is, is that ligament that holds that bone in place is just not there," Leaf said. "The tape job that we use does a good job, but now it's become used to it and now it just kind of slides if it needs to. There's discomfort and it doesn't allow me to be accurate sometimes. But it's definitely not an excuse."

Leaf said he has not talked to club officials about the possibility of being placed on the injured list when the team makes the final roster cut to 53 Sunday.

"It hasn't even been mentioned," he said. "I don't know where we're going from there. But like I said, it's probably even a little premature to talk about that."

INJURIES: Center Jeff Christy (knee sprain), defensive lineman Joe Tafoya (leg), guard Russ Hochstein (foot fracture) and defensive end Ellis Wyms (stress fracture) did not make the trip to Atlanta. Defensive end Marcus Jones (hamstring) is doubtful.

PUT ME IN COACH: Karl Williams, who holds a host of team records for punt returns, has not fielded one in the preseason and said he would like to before the regular season starts Sept. 9 in Dallas.

"You always want to get that first one out of the way," Williams said. "I suppose I would like to get a couple, one or two, (tonight) in Atlanta, but we'll have to see."

During the first three preseason games, the Bucs have been looking at younger returners. Rookies Robert Kilow and Dwight Smith, along with second-year receiver Frank Murphy, have fielded the punts and kickoffs.

"I understand that the coaches want to take a good look at the young guys so I have to be patient," Williams said. "I've done my preparation in practice. I'm used to coming off the bench so this will be no different."

BODY IN ATLANTA, MIND IN DALLAS: For the starters, tonight's game is an exercise in how not to get hurt. Expected to play sparingly against the Falcons, the starters say the goal is to be ready for Dallas.

"That's what the whole emphasis is," quarterback Brad Johnson said. "That's what you play for. We definitely want to come out and be sharp for Atlanta and win the game. But the most important thing is the Dallas Cowboys. Right now we have a lot of injuries and hopefully we'll get a lot of those guys back. We'll get Mike Alstott back this week for one or two series and then end up getting Jeff Christy back by the third game or so."

Johnson said he is ready for the opener and finally feels comfortable with the system.

"I feel very confident," Johnson said. "I feel great within the system, very comfortable with the players."

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