TAMPA, FLA. (AP) -- Josh Freeman's preseason is over, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can only hope his injured thumb doesn't lead to another slow start when the real games begin. 

The second-year quarterback fractured the tip of the thumb on his throwing hand during the opening quarter of Saturday night's
20-15 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He will be sidelined at least until the opening week of the regular season. 

Freeman's backups, Josh Johnson and Rudy Carpenter, each threw for a touchdown. Micheal Spurlock scored on a 53-yard reception in the second quarter, and Carpenter snapped a fourth-quarter tie with a 5-yard throw to Terrance Nunn. 

The third quarterback selected in last year's draft, Freeman won three of his nine starts as a rookie.

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