PLAYER NOTES

-- QB Jeff Garcia (right calf strain) was able to participate in limited practice Friday and is listed as questionable. Luke McCown would replace Garcia, but coach Jon Gruden said the veteran quarterback could play even with very limited practice reps. "The guy's a veteran player. We never like to see a guy not practice, particularly at that position, but he's an experienced guy," Gruden said. "He did take some reps (Thursday) and the day before, so he has participated to a degree. This is just a tough situation right now, but we're hopeful he can play."

-- QB Luke McCown is expected to start Sunday if Jeff Garcia's calf strain keeps him out, although Garcia could be a game-day decision after taking part in some of Friday's practice. And Brian Griese, sidelined since Oct. 5 with an elbow injury, did take part in practice all week and would also be an option.

-- QB Brian Griese, who has been out with an elbow injury since Oct. 5, was able to practice all week. That throws his hat in the ring along with Luke McCown as possible replacements if Jeff Garcia's strained calf keeps him out Sunday.

--DT Jovan Haye had limited participation in Thursday's practice because of a knee injury. He could be questionable for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

--DT Chris Hovan had limited participation in Thursday's practice because of a knee sprain.

--WR Michael Clayton has a toe injury and was limited in practice Thursday.

GAME PLAN: The Bucs' job No. 1 will be to rebound from a poor performance against the run Monday night. It won't get easier. Michael Turner is the NFL's second-leading rusher and Jerious Norwood is no slouch.

Tampa Bay was without DT Jovan Haye and could be again Sunday at Atlanta. The run fits were poor and the tackling was even worse. The key will be to put that bad performance out of their heads and rally to the football.

But the Falcons are a much better team than the one Tampa Bay faced in Week 2 because rookie QB Matt Ryan has grown up.

"He's a really good player," Gruden said of Ryan. "He can make all the throws, moving to his left, to his right. He's comfortable in the pocket. He's got a big arm (and) a lot more mobility than I think people realize and he takes care of the football. He doesn't look like a rookie to me. He looks like he's played a long time. I tip my hat to him, and as I said yesterday Mike Mularkey and their staff have done a great job. They've got a potent running game. They can turn and give it to one of two backs. I think Roddy White, 1,300 yards receiving, is a pretty good hidden secret if you ask me. He's a heck of a receiver on tape. They have a great scheme, they have a lot of good players. He's a good quarterback and he looks like he's going to be a great one."

Offensively, the Bucs will try to keep the combination of Jeff Garcia to Antonio Bryant productive. Bryant caught nine passes for a career-high 200 yards Monday night at Carolina. But to do that, they need more balance. RB Warrick Dunn averaged 4.9 yards rushing per attempt Monday, but he only had 10 carries.

"Hopefully we have some more things coming," Bryant said. "We got a lot of great playmakers over here we're trying to get going. Cadillac Williams - two games, two touchdowns. Joey (Galloway), we're going to anticipate some good things from him hopefully. There are a lot things we're trying to get done. It's just time to see some of the things we didn't see in the latter part of the season."

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Falcons RDE John Abraham vs. Bucs LT Donald Penn -- Abraham has 12.5 sacks and is an impact player. Penn has been stout against some of the NFL's best pass rushers.

Falcons WR Roddy White vs. Bucs CB Ronde Barber: White is having a career year, thanks in large part to the development of Matt Ryan, with 1,248 yards. Barber has three interceptions in his past three games.

Bucs WR Antonio Bryant vs. Falcons CB Chris Houston: Bryant is coming off a career-high 200-yard receiving game at Carolina. Houston is an upstart cornerback from Arkansas but still inexperienced.