--Bucs rookie cornerback Elbert Mack is appealing his one-game suspension for his helmet-to-helmet hit of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. A hearing will be scheduled for later this week and a decision rendered before the Bucs play at Chicago Sunday, according to Ray Anderson, the NFL's Vice President of Football Operations.
Mack, an undrafted free agent from Troy, was suspended for Sunday's game at Chicago, without pay, for a flagrant violation of player safety rules, his second this season.
"We take it very seriously," coach Jon Gruden said of the NFL's ruling. "At the same time, we're going to look into the situation and support Elbert. He's a good kid. They take hits like that seriously, the league does. And we respect certainly the policies the league has. I'll just say this: Elbert Mack is a great kid, there's nothing malicious about him. That's the best way I can put it right now."
The Bucs can ill-afford to lose Mack this week. Cornerback Aqib Talib has a hamstring strain and is questionable for Sunday's game. He was limited in practice Wednesday.
"Anytime you lose a player that's playing good, it can hurt us," Gruden said.
--QB Jeff Garcia doesn't know what role he'll play this week at Chicago. He was the inactive third quarterback against the Falcons last week.
"I'll prepare the same way I prepared last week," Garcia said. "Just prepare myself mentally and physically to be there in a support role and also if the opportunity presents itself again, be ready to play."
--LB Derrick Brooks saw his streak of 194 straight starts continue last week against the Falcons, despite missing practice with a right hamstring strain. Brooks is unable to practice again this week, but he expects to play against the Bears.
"I feel better this week," Brooks said.
--NT Chris Hovan says stopping Bears rookie RB Matt Forte will be job one for the defense Sunday.
"A small draft pick coming out of college at Tulane; he ran the ball impressively well back in college," Hovan said. "Chicago is a run-oriented first offense. He's running between the tackles, running outside - he gives them another dimension to their offense right now."
BY THE NUMBERS: 1 - That's the number of TD catches WR Michael Clayton has since his rookie season. It came against the Bengals in 2006. Clayton will make his first start of the season Sunday.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I try to stay in my room the night before (a game) anywhere we go." -- Bucs coach Jon Gruden on playing at Soldier Field.
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