Montana Able to Play Today : Pro football: Quarterback is activated for game against Buccaneers, but he will be third string.

Joe Montana was activated from injured reserve Friday and there was a chance he might see his first action in nearly two years during the San Francisco 49ers’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today (Channel 2, 1 p.m.).

Montana, a two-time NFL most valuable player who led the 49ers to four Super Bowl victories, has been sidelined because of a torn right elbow tendon suffered in August of 1991.

He has not played in a game that counted since the 49ers’ 15-13 loss to the New York Giants in the NFC championship Jan. 20, 1991.

The 49ers waived running back Sheldon Canley to make room for Montana on the roster.

Coach George Seifert said Montana was returning to the team as its third quarterback, behind starter Steve Young, the league’s top-ranked passer, and Steve Bono.

Montana will suit up for today’s game against Tampa Bay (4-10) but will be one of the team’s two inactive players.

The 49ers (12-2) have the league’s best record. They could clinch the NFC West title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by beating Tampa Bay.

Seifert said winning was the main objective and he would not allow the team to take the game lightly. He added that Young would start and, if circumstances allowed, Bono would be first off the bench.

There also is a scenario under which Montana might play.

The rule governing inactive quarterbacks was designed to ensure that teams would not run out of quarterbacks in a game because of injuries.

However, there is a loophole.

The rule does not specifically say the other two quarterbacks have to be injured.

It merely says that the other two quarterbacks become ineligible at the point when the inactive quarterback reports to the referee and enters the game.

Should Montana go into the game, neither Young nor Bono could return under any circumstances.

“It makes us stronger,” Young said. “I’m going to make it a positive. We’ll work well together.”