TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman says his injured throwing shoulder is improving and that he hopes to be able to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Nevertheless the third-year pro was limited practice Wednesday, when he did some light throwing while backup Josh Johnson worked with the first-team offense.

Freeman was injured on Tampa Bay’s final offensive play during a 23-17 loss at Tennessee two weeks ago. He sat out last Sunday’s 38-19 loss to Carolina, ending a stretch of 36 consecutive starts.

Johnson made his first start since 2009 against the Panthers. The fourth-year pro left the game for one play in the second quarter, and coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that was because the quarterback separated his non-throwing shoulder and returned after having it popped back into place.

“I don’t think he even grimaced,” Morris said, adding that Johnson wasn’t affected the remainder of the game and will be prepared to start again if Freeman is unable to play at Jacksonville.

Freeman described his injury as a bruise suffered when he dropped the snap on a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak that Tennessee stopped for no gain, sealing the Titans’ victory. He said he landed awkwardly on his right elbow, jolting his shoulder.

“Obviously, he’ll be a day-by-day guy. We’ll see what he’s able to do (Thursday). We’ll have a chance to evaluate him on Friday, obviously Saturday and Sunday,” Morris said of the prospect of waiting until the weekend to make a decision on Freeman’s status. “Obviously he’s a lot better this week than he was last. We’ll get a chance to see where he can go and if he can go the next couple of days.”

The Bucs (4-8) have lost six straight games and seven of eight overall following a 3-1 start.

Freeman said before practice Wednesday that he planned to warm up, but doubted he would actually do much — if any — throwing in practice because team trainers want to “take it slow.” Still, he believes there’s a realistic chance he can play Sunday against the Jaguars.

“Continually it’s gotten better. It started out extremely painful, just standing around. But my movement’s greatly increased,” the quarterback said. “I’ve thrown the ball a few times and it’s just day to day gotten better. If we can continue on this pace, and I really hope we can, I’ll play.”

Johnson threw for 229 yards, one touchdown and an interception against Carolina. He also led the Bucs in rushing with 45 yards.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Browns Stadium.

Both teams are 3-6. Win-loss records don’t necessarily assure a certain level of entertainment value, good or bad, one way or the other.

Given, though, the nature of both teams’ struggling offenses, only the improbable would find the game with featured billing on post-game NFL highlight shows.

Nate Ulrich covers the Browns for the Akron Beacon Journal and Vito Stellino tracks the Jaguars for the Florida Times-Union.

Ulrich previews the Browns-Jaguars game by asking Stellino some questions about the Jaguars, including: 

Q: What should the Browns be worried about most when they face the Jaguars?

A: “That they can’t score. The Browns have scored nine points [and allowed 58] in the first quarter this year. If the Jaguars take the lead, then they can play conservative. The Browns’ best chance is if Gabbert throws interceptions. But if [the Jaguars] get ahead, play conservative, play good defense and run the ball, that would favor them. What [the Browns] have to worry about is they have to certainly go out and score early and then force the Jaguars not to be quite as conservative as they can be. Jones-Drew had 25 carries and backup [Deji Karim] had nine, so those two ran the ball 34 times [Sunday in the Jaguars’ 17-3 victory] against the Indianapolis Colts. I would think that’s their best formula, and they would probably do the same thing against the Browns.”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi’s story that the Browns got away with an illegal play in their 13-12 loss to the St. Louis Rams last Sunday; Grossi’s scouting report on the Jaguars; videos by David I. Andersen of Browns quarterback Colt McCoy being interviewed on Wednesday and of Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot previewing the Browns-Jaguars game; a Starting Blocks poll on the Browns-Jaguars game; and much more.

Sideline to sideline

It’s difficult to evaluate Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, says Jamison Hensley, via ESPN.com video.

It’s premature for fans to call for the firing of Browns coach Pat Shurmur, Mike McLain writes for the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

A transcript of Pat Shurmur’s Wednesday press conference, on clevelandbrowns.com.

The Jaguars passing game vs. the Browns pass defense, by Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Weekly.

Some Browns players quotes from Wednesday, on clevelandbrowns.com.

The Browns are trying to identify their offensive problems. By Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Browns notes, including updates on wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and running back Montario Hardesty, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

All of the Browns’ 2011 draft picks are contributing, Fred Greetham writes for Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report.

Cleveland Browns Team Report on USAToday.com.

Montario Hardesty hopes to find his place in the Browns offense, Steve Doerschuk writes for the Canton Repository.

Eight reasons the Browns’ offense is among the NFL’s worst. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

The Jaguars are hoping to get their offense going against the Browns, writes Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

POSTED: Wednesday, February 23, 2011

UPDATED: 12:41 pm EST February 23, 2011

D’Anthony (Boo) Smith, member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was the guest speaker for the Pickering High School JAG Program on Wednesday Jan. 19. His discussion was on how hard work coupled with a positive attitude pays off.  D’Anthony is a 2006 graduate of Pickering High School.