NEW ORLEANS -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers deactivated starting quarterback Jeff Garcia for Sunday's NFC South matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
Garcia was listed as questionable throughout the week with a bruised lower back. Tampa Bay did not announce which backup -- either Luke McCown or Bruce Gradkowski -- would start in Garcia's place.
A team spokesman said the starter likely would not be known until the Buccaneers' first offensive series. Garcia was expected to be in uniform and available only as a third quarterback.
The other starter Tampa Bay listed inactive was defensive end Greg Spires (calf), who has been out for about a month, replaced by Gaines Adams.
The only notable scratch for the Saints was kickoff returner and backup running back Pierre Thomas, who has a bruised kidney. New Orleans added running back Jamaal Branch from the practice squad and made room for him by waiving veteran safety Jay Bellamy.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press