NFL: Lynch expected to make timely return

Three days after learning that Jermaine Phillips (fractured right forearm) was going to be shelved four to six weeks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sounded Wednesday as if they were about to activate five-time Pro Bowler John Lynch.

"I'm planning on playing and I'm looking forward to getting back in the lineup," said Lynch, who missed the last two games with a pinched nerve in his right shoulder. "I think we have given it ample time to rest and I am confident that my problem has calmed down and I'll be ready to play."

Head coach Jon Gruden said Lynch practiced and moved around well and will be listed as probable for Sunday's game at Carolina. He said Lynch will continue to be evaluated during the week.

Lynch said his probable return was on schedule and not accelerated because of Phillips' injury

"I was going to be back regardless," Lynch said. "I'd have been back last week if I was cleared but I wasn't cleared. This week I'm cleared and I'm ready to play."

Wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, on the other hand, still doesn't look like he'll be ready for Sunday as he continues to try to come back from the torn MCL he suffered in his right knee in the last Carolina game.

Gruden said: "(Jurevicius) still looks a little bit inhibited in his movements but he made it through the day and he's questionable for the game. We'll update him later in the week."

DIRTY PEWTER BIRD: Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson worked out for the Bucs before Wednesday's practice. Anderson, who led the Atlanta Falcons into Super Bowl XXXIII, missed all but three games of the 2001 season and all of 2002 while recovering from the second of two very serious knee injuries.

DOUBLE TAKE: As the afternoon practice was winding down at One Buc Place, kicker Martin Gramatica of La Belle must have thought Gruden and general manager Rich McKay had been experimenting with a clone machine.

Standing underneath the visitors tent was a young man sporting Gramatica's No. 7 jersey who bore a striking resemblance to the man himself.

Gramatica, who has struggled this season (6-of-12 on field goals and one missed extra point) went over and spoke briefly with the visitor, but didn't look too pleased with what he thought might have been a joke.

INJURY FRONT TOO: In addition to Phillips (out), Jurevicius and Lynch, here's how the rest of the Bucs injury report looked: Safety John Howell (hamstring) and linebacker Ryan Nece (ankle) are listed as questionable. Right tackle Cornell Green (ankle), running back Michael Pittman (calf), cornerback Hank Poteat (hamstring) and offensive guard Jason Whittle (shoulder) are listed as probable. For Carolina, running back Stephen Davis (ankle), defensive end Mike Rucker (ankle), tight end Mike Sediman (ankle) and running back Rod Smart (hamstring) are questionable. Wide receiver Karl Hankton (hamstring), linebacker Dan Morgan (concussion) and defensive end Kemp Rasmussen (neck) are listed as probable.

Bucs midseason report card

-- Rushing offense -- The loss of Pro Bowl fullback Mike Alstott for the season has placed more of a load on Michael Pittman, who has had some productive games but has not put a lot of fear into opposing defenses.; Grade: C

-- Passing offense -- Quarterback Brad Johnson has performed some magic with an injury-depleted receiving corps and has the Bucs ranked fifth in the league, but Keyshawn needs to deliver as much with his hands as he has with his mouth to improve this mark; Grade: B-

-- Rushing defense -- Big games by Carolina's Stephen Davis, New Orleans' Deuce McAllister and San Francisco's Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow exposed weaknesses in this area.; Grade: C+

-- Passing defense -- Despite losing cornerback Brian Kelly for the season and safeties John Lynch, Jermaine Phillips and John Howell at different intervals, Ronde Barber's solid play has helped plug the holes in the secondary, ranked fourth in the NFL.; Grade: B

-- Special teams -- One blocked extra point, two blocked field goals and some lengthy kickoff and punt returns -- most of that from one game -- gives this unit a black eye. Only Tom Tupa's strong punting prevents this grade from being even lower.; Grade: C-

-- Overall midseason grade: C+