TAMPA -- Bucs receiver Alvin Harper dropped two passes in the first half Sunday. It was obvious he should not have played with his right hand taped protecting five stitches between his index and middle finger.
"I've got but one comment: I should've never been out there. And I'm happy we won,'' Harper said. "That's the only thing about being hurt. It just seems like all this year, what can go wrong is going wrong for me. I've just got to keep fighting through and try to make the best of it.''
Tony Dungy replaced Harper in the second half with veteran Robb Thomas, and it made the Bucs coach look like a genius.
Thomas, who had not caught a pass before Sunday's game, hauled in two TDs from quarterback Trent Dilfer.
"I've second-guessed myself on that. I thought about it all week," Dungy said. "Robby had the practice, Alvin hadn't caught any balls and we wanted to go and see if he could go just to be active. He caught some early when we went out there and he thought he could go. So we tried to let him do that because he really wanted to play. It probably wasn't good judgment on my part."
When Thomas went out briefly with dehydration, Harper returned in the fourth quarter and drew a 37-yard pass interference penalty on the Vikings' DeWayne Washington to set up the final TD.
POURING IT ON: Dungy said he has a suspicion who provided his first victory shower of ice water as the final seconds ticked down in Sunday's 24-13 win over Minnesota.
A taped replay showed that defensive end Eric Curry and linebacker Wardell Rouse did the dunking. Curry was inactive with a knee injury and Rouse is on injured reserve.
"I'm going to try to look at the tape. I've got a rumor of who it was," Dungy said. "As soon as I verify it, we'll have a little something for them. That was kind of wild. My wife told me she couldn't believe I didn't expect it, but that was the last thing on my mind at that point."
MORE GAME BALLS: Dilfer and rookie fullback Mike Alstott were awarded game balls. Dungy was presented with a game ball from the players after the game, with defensive tackle Warren Sapp doing the honors.
"It's going to be a special one," Dungy said. "Your first one after so much struggle is really gratifying. It's something I'll remember for a long time."
INJURIES: OT Jason Odom (knee) is doubtful for Sunday's game at Arizona. DE Eric Curry (knee) may not practice Wednesday but could play. OG Ian Beckles did not practice but is expected to play.
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