Bucs WR Bryant inactive against Packers

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Tampa Bay’s Antonio Bryant(notes) was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, leaving rookie quarterback Josh Freeman(notes) to make his first NFL start without the Buccaneers’ top wide receiver.

Bryant had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during training camp and has been hampered by the injury all season. He was limited in practice this week because of swelling he attributed to the team’s long flight home from London two weeks ago.

Tampa Bay’s other inactives were receiver Yamon Figurs(notes), cornerback Mike Mickens(notes), fullback Chris Pressley(notes), guard Shawn Murphy(notes), tackle James Lee and defensive tackle Dre Moore(notes). The third quarterback was Byron Leftwich(notes).

Green Bay’s inactives were receivers Jake Allen(notes) and Jordy Nelson(notes), safety Derrick Martin(notes), fullback Korey Hall(notes), linebacker Brandon Chillar(notes), tackle Breno Giacomini(notes), tight end Jermichael Finley(notes) and defensive end Jarius Wynn(notes).

Scott Wells(notes) started at center for the Packers, replacing Jason Spitz(notes) (lower back), who was placed on injury reserve on Saturday.