The roulette wheel of quarterbacks keeps spinning in Tampa Bay.

With starter Brian Griese unable to throw a football because of a sore elbow and shoulder, Garcia is almost certain to get the start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

“For me, it’s an exciting time because I feel like there’s an opportunity that might be presented there,” Garcia said. “I just want to be able to get back in and be the guy that I was for this team last year, the guy I feel I’m capable of being. And if I’m given that opportunity, hopefully I can run with it and make the most out of it.”

Griese said the MRI revealed no structural damage from the hit he sustained in Sunday’s 16-13 loss at Denver during a third quarter blitz by cornerback Champ Bailey.

“I haven’t tried to throw…

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway is not ruling himself out for Sunday’s home game against Carolina.

With five days to go before the NFL trade deadline (Tuesday, 4 p.m.), Tampa Bay would appear to be in need of a receiver, what with veteran speedster Joey Galloway expected to miss his fourth straight game when the Buccaneers (3-2) play the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers (4-1) Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

In the days following Tennessee’s big season-opening victory over Jacksonville, any feel-good aftermath vanished when the Titans found themselves in an off-field soap opera with the franchise’s centerpiece in a starring role.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said Monday that quarterback Brian Griese is “questionable.” Whether that is for next week’s game or the rest of the season remains to be seen.

Injuries add up: Brian Griese wasn’t the only casualty for Tampa Bay during Sunday’s 16-13 road loss at Denver. The team was very concerned with a right knee sprain suffered by MLB Barrett Ruud, the Buccaneers’ leading tackler the last two seasons. Ruud left the game early in fourth quarter after shadowing QB Jay Cutler on a bootleg play. “They did one of those quarterback read-type of things,” Ruud said. “I planted and just skipped and it kind of buckled up. It’s going to hurt this week, I’m sure, but I can move it pretty good. It just feels sore.” Ruud, who was replaced by second-year pro Adam Hayward, will undergo tests in Tampa. Griese, meanwhile, didn’t think his elbow injury was serious, just a bruise. “The swelling made it tough for me to grip the ball,” he said. “I’m going to get as much treatment as I can.”

Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden won’t say whether QB Brian Griese is on the proverbial “short leash” after throwing twice as many passes to the opponent as touchdown passes.

The Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday assigned right wing Michel Ouellet to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

Ask around the NFL and everybody agrees. It’s a little different playing in Denver. For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s really different. When the Bucs (3-1) put their three-game win streak on the line Sunday against the Broncos (3-1) at Invesco Field, it’ll mark just their fourth trip to the Mile High City in the franchise’s 33 seasons and first since 1996.

Jon Gruden is about as accommodating as any coach in the NFL when it comes to his media obligations, but sometimes his patience is tried.