The Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned their 5-1 record the hard way, with several one possessions wins through key injuries. But the injury bug paid them yet another visit in Week 6.
In Sunday’s 30-19 win over the 49ers, rookie WR Emeka Egbuka exited with a hamstring injury. The severity is not yet fully known, but it does not seem severe; an MRI on Tuesday will give the full picture of how much time he will miss.
The No. 19 overall draft pick is a key element of the Bucs’ offense, and he’s one of several Tampa Bay wideouts to go down this year, as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan are all currently out with their own injuries.
What's the latest on Egbuka's injury? How much time could Egbuka miss? We'll dive into the latest Egbuka injury news, as well as how the Buccaneers’ WR room looks entering Week 7.
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How Long is Emeka Egbuka Out For?
It appears the Buccaneers avoided a long-term injury with Egbuka, but they aren’t out of the woods.
In a Monday morning report, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media said he does anticipate Egbuka may “miss some time” due to his hamstring injury.
Egbuka will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury. At minimum, it's likely Egbuka will miss at least one game, possibly two weeks, followed by a bye.
Week 7 sees Tampa Bay travel to Detroit for a Monday Night Football showdown with the Lions, where Chris Godwin and Egbuka look likely to sit out, though Mike Evans could return. Then they will face the Saints on October 26 prior to a Week 9 bye.
In good news, Bucs seventh-round rookie WR Tez Johnson stepped up in a big way after the Egbuka injury, hauling in a 45-yard touchdown catch. QB Baker Mayfield has done well with whatever he has to work with.
Mike Evans & Chris Godwin Injury Updates
Egbuka’s injury is just the latest of many for Buccaneers receivers. Star WRs Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) missed Week 6’s game after not practicing all week.
Evans, who has 14 catches for 140 yards and a TD this year, sat out of Weeks 4-6. Rapoport says he’s “nearing a return,” making his practice participation a must-watch development. Evans could be ready for a much-needed return in Week 7 vs. the Lions.
Godwin’s situation is trickier. After missing Weeks 1-3 due to a fibula injury, he sustained one to a “different part” of the bone, per head coach Todd Bowles, in Week 5. Rapoport describes Godwin as “week-to-week” while he recovers — it's hard to know what to expect, but Godwin likely isn't returning any time soon.
Less important, but still relevant, second-year WR Jalen McMillan is still in a neck brace following his serious preseason injury. There's a chance he may not return this season, though coach Todd Bowles "hopes" he can.
Bucs WR Depth Chart & Fantasy Outlook
Down the trio of Egbuka, Evans and Godwin (and Jalen McMillan, who's on IR), the Buccaneers got creative on Sunday.
Somehow, Tampa Bay was able to make do with what it had. Egbuka’s 28 snaps ranked second on the team before he was replaced by committee.
Leading the Bucs in snaps for Week 6 was seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson with 38. His 45-yard TD grab factored into the game’s outcome in a big way. Elsewhere, second-year WR Kameron Johnson (26 snaps) led the way with 4 receptions for 64 yards and another score.
Veteran Sterling Shepard matched Johnson’s 26 snaps, recording 2 catches for 51 yards. Ryan Miller went without a target but logged 13 snaps on offense — 25% of those available.
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