Rattay traded from 49ers to Buccaneers

The AP is reporting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired Tim Rattay from the San Francisco 49ers to back up young quarterbacks Chris Simms and Luke McCown.

Their staring QB Griese injured his left knee during Sunday's 27-13 victory over Miami, however the Bucs still haven't commented publicly on his condition or said how long he will be sidelined after helping them to a 5-1 start.

"We're getting some more analysis," general manager Bruce Allen said. "He's still on the team. He is wanting to play. We're hopeful that he can. But we're going to get the proper medical opinion."

Allen declined to discuss specifics of the injury, which occurred when Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas rolled into Griese's leg, or what doctors have told the team about the quarterback's status.

What's clear, though, is Griese will be out for a lengthy time.

The Bucs sent what was believed to be a sixth-round draft choice to the 49ers for Rattay, a six-year veteran who lost the starting job in San Francisco after four weeks to No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith.

Allen said the Bucs explored the prospect of acquiring Rattay during the offseason and were excited to find he was available before the NFL trading deadline of 4 p.m. Tuesday.

"We feel he'll be a great fit for our team," Allen said. "He'll come in and be our No. 3 quarterback. It gives us some great insurance and a feeling that we can sleep at night that we have a bona fide NFL starter."

Rattay, a seventh-round pick in 2000, started nine games last season and beat out Smith in training camp this year. But he performed poorly after an opening victory over St. Louis and was benched by coach Mike Nolan.