Report: Josh McCown to miss "several weeks" with thumb injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers named Josh McCown the starter at quarterback after signing him earlier this year, and Lovie Smith reaffirmed that McCown is his starter after a dismal display against Atlanta on Thursday night.

But if a report from Fox Sports proves to be true, the Bucs will be without McCown for "several weeks" as his thumb injury is apparently more serious than was initially reported.

.@FOXSports has learned @TBBuccaneers QB Josh McCown undergoing 2nd test on injured thumb, expected to miss several weeks. Story coming ASAP

— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) September 20, 2014

McCown struck his hand against an opponent's helmet during Thursday night's game, but stayed in to run the offense for a bit longer, before hitting his hand on a shoulder pad of a Falcons' player and leaving the game to have his hand wrapped up.

Initial reports indicated nothing was broken, but a severe sprain on the throwing-hand thumb of a quarterback would be enough to sideline him for quite a while.

Mike Glennon would start in McCown's place, with games against the Steelers and Saints on deck for the Buccaneers. Glennon filled in for McCown against Atlanta, and looked very shaky, seeing three passes dropped by Falcon defenders.