If Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield’s contract drama wasn’t enough, the team is now dealing with injuries to a pair of key wide receivers.
Emeka Egbuka has been dealing with a toe sprain from joint practices with the New York Jets before Week 1 of the preseason. Egbuka emerged as the primary target for Mayfield last season, and the second-year star from Ohio State might not be ready for Week 1 of the regular season on Sept. 13.
“He’s day-to-day, week-to-week,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Monday. “Not sure at this time [for Week 1].”
In addition to Egbuka, wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been dealing with a knee injury. Entering his third season, the former University of Washington star has been a steady performer in his young career.
“He’s still day-to-day,” Bowles said.
Egbuka had 63 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie in 2025, and he made the All-Rookie Team. He had a stellar career at Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a national title, and he amassed 205 receptions for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns along the way.
McMillan has 49 receptions for 639 yards and eight touchdowns in his young career. He played in only four games last year due to a neck injury, and had 12 catches for 187 yards in that span.
Mayfield has few strong options without those two on the field. The Buccaneers lost former star receiver Mike Evans to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, and receiver Chris Godwin is coming off an injury-riddled season. Godwin had 33 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns in nine games last year.
Tampa Bay also has wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who had 39 catches for 371 yards and a touchdown last season. Those numbers were the best among healthy wideouts who are back from last season.
Mayfield at least has tight end Cade Otton, who had 59 catches for 572 yards and a touchdown last year.
Meanwhile, Mayfield has dealt with contract negotiations.
In addition, the Buccaneers took a hit to the quarterback room last week when backup Jake Browning injured his back during joint practices with the Jets.
“He’s doing better. We'll see how the week goes,” Bowles said.
Tampa Bay had some good news on offense with offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs practicing again on Monday, though in limited capacity. The All-Pro has been dealing with a hamstring strain throughout training camp.
“Yeah, we’re starting to ramp him up a little bit, see how much he can go through this week and kind of go from there,” Bowles said.
Wirfs has been a key part of the Buccaneers’ offensive line since 2020. He has twice been named a first-team All-Pro and has made five Pro Bowls in his career.
The Buccaneers will play starters in Week 2 of the preseason at home against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. That will include Mayfield, as Bowles confirmed, but the receivers and Wirfs are still unknown.
“Well, really just operation,” Bowles said. “It’s for [offensive coordinator] Zac [Robinson]. It’s for the new defensive guys, as well. It’s just really [from] an operational standpoint, so we can make sure we’re not doing things for the first time on game day when we open the season.”
Saturday’s game will also give the Buccaneers a chance to look at wideout depth with Egbuka and McMillan sidelined for now.
Garrett Greene impressed against the Jets with four receptions for 54 yards, and Bauer Sharp had four receptions for 24 yards. Dean Patterson had five catches for 24 yards, and Dennis Houston had a 19-yard grab.
“A ton of competition,” Bowles said about the receiver competition. “It’s going to come down to the last week.”
