Falcons will face Bucs’ backup QB

Flowery Branch — Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden announced that quarterback Jeff Garcia would not play this week against the Falcons and that Brian Griese would start.

Garcia did not practice Wednesday. He battled injuries (calf and finger) throughout the offseason.

“Brian took the majority of snaps in training camp,” Gruden said earlier in the day on a conference call with reporters from Georgia.

Garcia played the entire way in the Bucs’ 24-20 loss to New Orleans, completing 24 of 41 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

“Griese is not as elusive,” Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking said. “He doesn’t have that running ability.”

The Falcons don’t expect the Bucs to change much with Griese at the helm.

“They are going to run the same plays,” Brooking said.