Bucs promote QB Kafka with McCown ailing

Sep 25, 2014 - 8:32 PM Tampa Bay, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - In a strong indicator that Josh McCown is likely to miss some time with his right thumb injury, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Mike Kafka to the active roster from the practice squad on Thursday.

Kafka, who attempted 16 passes over four games with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, is expected to serve as the backup to Mike Glennon when the Buccaneers visit the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.

McCown was forced to exit Tampa Bay's forgettable 56-14 loss at Atlanta on Sept. 18 after spraining his throwing thumb while attempting a pass. The journeyman signal-caller hit his right hand on a helmet to cause the injury, which kept him out of Wednesday's practice.

Glennon, a 13-game starter as a rookie for Tampa Bay last season, played the entire second half against the Falcons and completed 17-of-24 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.

McCown, signed to a two-year contract by the Bucs during the offseason, has struggled through Tampa Bay's first three games, throwing four interceptions and losing two fumbles while managing just 420 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Guard Rishaw Johnson, inactive for each of Tampa Bay's three games this season, was waived to make room for Kafka.