Emeka Egbuka Injury Update
Emeka Egbuka’s status for Week 3 is one of those uncertain, slightly maddening “questionable” tags that drives fantasy players and Bucs fans nuts right up until inactives drop. Here’s the gist: the Bucs’ rookie wideout, who already feels like a fresh jolt of hope for Tampa’s passing game after hauling in three touchdowns over his first two NFL appearances, popped up with a hip and groin injury this week and sat out Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices.
Official Bookmaker (@bookmaker_eu) reported on Twitter that Rookie of the Year frontrunner Emeka Egbuka missed Wednesday’s practice because of hip and groin injuries.
Not great timing, and the mood on Bucs Twitter briefly went full “here we go again.” The good news? Egbuka was spotted back at practice on Friday.
Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) shared on Twitter good news for Buccaneers fans, reporting that WR Emeka Egbuka is back at practice today.
Another one, Sebastian Fearon (@TheDegenDoc) shared on Twitter an update on Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka, noting that he’s practicing today a positive sign for his recovery.
It’s not clear yet whether he was ramping up at full tilt or just jogging routes and testing things out, but coaches and beat writers seemed at least somewhat relieved when Todd Bowles said Egbuka looked good enough to keep the “questionable” status headed into the home matchup against the Jets.
Now, as for Chris Godwin, he’s officially out for Sunday, so Egbuka’s presence looms larger than ever (no pressure, rookie). The Bucs have relied on a committee approach with Mike Evans and others picking up slack, yet there’s no question the offense gets a different flavor with Egbuka’s speed and sure hands. Think of the go-ahead touchdown against Atlanta, a play every Bucs fan will remember from his debut. Maybe that memory is what’s keeping some optimism afloat heading into Sunday, because Egbuka’s ability to make something out of nothing has already shown up big for Baker Mayfield and Tampa’s 2-0 start.
If he plays, expect the Jets’ defense to have to account for a legit red-zone threat; if he doesn’t, Tampa will have to get creative, likely leaning more on secondary receivers and some hope-and-a-prayer playcalling. As for fantasy managers, cue that all-too-familiar race to the injury wire Sunday morning because if Egbuka is active, he’s worth plugging in, and if not, well, welcome to the weekly shuffle. The bottom line: he’s questionable, he’s promising, and everyone’s watching.
