Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman fractured the tip of his right throwing thumb during Saturday night's 20-15 home victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the remainder of the preseason.
Freeman, a second-year pro, is expected to be ready for Week 1, the team said.
Freeman hurt the thumb during the first quarter, when his throwing hand hit the helmet of a Chiefs defender on a second-and-5 pass attempt. Freeman returned to the sideline in the third quarter wearing a heavy wrap around his thumb.
The quarterback left the game after the Bucs' first offensive possession produced a field goal for a 3-0 lead. He remained on the sideline flexing his right hand when backup Josh Johnson took over on the next drive.
Freeman had been expected to play 12 to 15 snaps against the Chiefs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
