Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles indicated Saturday that it's not yet certain that WR Emeka Egbuka's injured toe will be ready for Week 1 action.
What They're Saying: Coach Hopes to Get WRs Back
FOX's Greg Auman: "Bowles said he expects Jalen McMillan and 'hopefully' Emeka Egbuka to be ready for Week 1, doesn't think they'll need to carry extra receiver on the 53 to offset short-term injuries."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Egbuka Carries Early Risk
That assessment makes Egbuka seem likely to be ready for the regular-season opener. But that it's only still "hopeful" means you can't treat him as a sure thing for Week 1 when you're drafting.
That doesn't mean you need to change your draft plans for Egbuka specifically. Just make sure that you secure early-season insurance if you do select the second-year Buc.
That said, the toe adds obvious risk even if he is ready to play on it. And Egbuka's WR17 ADP in late Round 4 range accentuates the risk.
My personal favorite target among Bucs pass catchers has been Chris Godwin, who sits 37th among WRs in current consensus ADP but has spent most of the year drifting into the 40s.
That whole range leaves much more room for upside than risk.
If Egbuka does miss Week 1, then McMillan would carry some WR3-level appeal.
Rookie Ted Hurst and second-year WR Tez Johnson sit beyond Egbuka, Godwin, and McMillan on the depth chart.
