Uncertainty surrounds the health of Chris Simms, who entered last season as the starter but has since slid down the depth chart. Simms has a 7-8 career record as a starter, including 0-3 last season.

Simms admitted after this morning's training camp practice at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex that he has a sore throwing elbow (his left) and that he's "not quite myself yet."

Those comments differed from what he said three days ago, when he insisted he was "100 percent" healthy.

"I probably went back to throwing too soon after my injury," Simms said. "And that's my fault. I probably developed some bad habits. But now I'm feeling good and ready to go.

Simms, 26, had emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen after getting hurt against the Carolina Panthers last Sept. 24. The injury ended his season.

"You know, I feel 100 percent. I really do. I might not be clicking on all cylinders, but my body is ready to go. I'm real close to getting all eight cylinders warmed up and ready," he said.

In backing up Garcia, the Bucs could turn to Bruce Gradkowski, who had a 3-8 record while starting last season as a rookie or Luke McCown, who has not started a game since 2004, when he went 0-4 for the Cleveland Browns.

The Bucs also hold the rights to 11-year veteran Jake Plummer, who has not reported to training camp and has said he would retire.

During the offseason, Bucs coach Jon Gruden and his wife flew to Idaho, where Plummer lives, to try and convince him to report to camp, but failed. Plummer has a combined 39-15 record over the past four seasons with Denver.

"I think Jake has a lot to offer and his performance the last four years has been one of the best in the NFL," said Bucs general manager Bruce Allen, who can go after some of Plummer's money should he choose not to play for the Bucs. "He has the fourth-most wins of any quarterback in the NFL over the last four years. ... Do I believe that he will never play again? No, I don't believe that."

McCown, 26, has received more repetitions than any quarterback but Garcia so far in camp. McCown did not play last season while recovering from a knee injury. He took advantage of the down time by immersing himself into the playbook.

"I'm feeling very comfortable," McCown said. "This is my third year in this offense. I've taken steps each year that I've been here. I've had a lot of time to really dive in to the playbook. That was key.