QB Trent Dilfer, who began throwing on the sidelines last week, returned to practice today for the first time in over a month. Dilfer suffered a fractured right clavicle in a 16-3 victory at Seattle on November 28.
"I felt good, it was a surprise," Dilfer said after seeing his first live action since November 28. "Yesterday when I was here getting treatment, I didn't think I would be able to practice today. But I woke up feeling good this morning, had a good rehab session this morning and decided to give it a shot. And the more I practiced, the better I got."
Dilfer admitted that he might have pushed himself a little too hard last week.
"I threw all last week and each day progressively harder and Friday I probably overdid it and really had a setback," Dilfer said. "That's what I was concerned about this week. But things are working out as planned. I'm really a couple of weeks ahead of what everybody thought I'd be. And I feel good about that."
Dilfer is also extremely pleased about how he responded in practice today.
"That was surprising," Dilfer said. "I threw the ball well. That's your biggest concern when you're coming off an injury. I did throw some high, but overall I had a good day out there."
BUCS END PRACTICE 30 MINUTES EARLY
The Tampa Buccaneers' reward for winning their first NFC Central Division title in 18 years was evident when Head Coach Tony Dungy concluded practice 30 minutes early today. Tampa Bay will host the highest remaining seed on Saturday, January 15 at 4:15 p.m. EST.
"I think we had a lot of good energy out there," Dungy said. "I was pleased with the type of effort we displayed today."
