The Buccaneers are dealing with multiple injuries at WR this week. That included Jalen McMillan, Chris Godwin, and Emeka Egbuka all sitting out Tuesday night's indoor practice. Tez Johnson left that workout early with a lower-body injury, according to the team website.
The Buccaneers signed Georgia Tech WR Eric Rivers as an undrafted free agent this week. Rivers opened his college career as a walk-on DB at Memphis in 2021, then missed the following season with a shoulder injury. He transferred to Florida International in 2023 and enjoyed a solid first season at wideout. Despite missing a game, Rivers ranked second on the team in catches (32) and TD receptions (2), and third in receiving yards (370). He broke out with a big 62-1,172-12 receiving line in 2024, racking up 18.9 yards per catch. His 3.57 yards per route ranked second among 347 FBS WRs who drew at least 40 targets that season. A transfer to Georgia Tech produced a quieter final season, though Rivers led the Yellow Jackets with 658 receiving yards and tied for the receptions lead (46).
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that the Buccaneers are "thinking late-November or December" for WR Chris Godwin's return from his fibula injury. Tampa gets the Rams in Week 12 on November 23, the Cardinals in Week 13 on November 30, and the Saints in Week 14 on December 7. It sounds like Godwin is targeting a return sometime during that stretch. It'll be at least a week beyond his return before we could trust him in fantasy lineups. And we're skeptical that Godwin will be back to 100% at any point this season. He's not a must-hold in shallower fantasy leagues. WR Tez Johnson and TE Cade Otton will continue to play expanded roles in the short term. WR Mike Evans (collarbone) isn't likely to be back until Week 14 at the earliest.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka returned from a Week 6 hamstring injury and played 53 of Tampa's 68 snaps in their Monday Night loss to the Lions. Egbuka led the team with 12 targets and ranked second with 58 receiving yards. Most importantly, Egbuka emerged from the game healthy and will be counted on to be Tampa's No. 1 WR after Mike Evans broke his collarbone. Evans is slated to miss significant time.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield completed 17 of 23 passes for 256 yards and 2 scores in Sunday's win over San Francisco. Mayfield added 14 rushing yards for a decent fantasy day, despite several adverse developments.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport expects WR Emeka Egbuka to "miss some time" with the hamstring injury he suffered in the Week 6 win over the 49ers. The rookie is scheduled for an MRI on Monday. "Does not seem like it's that serious," Rapoport adds. Consider Egbuka unlikely to play vs. the Lions this weekend. Tampa Bay then gets the Saints in Week 8 before a Week 9 bye, so it's possible that we don't see Egbuka again until Week 10. Rapoport adds that WR Mike Evans is "nearing a return" from his hamstring injury, while WR Chris Godwin is "week-to-week" with his fibula injury. We'll see if Evans can make it back for the Lions game. If not, the Bucs will be down to Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, and Sterling Shepard as their top three WRs.
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin is considered "week to week" with his fibula injury, according to The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud. The injury is in a different area from the ankle injury that ended Godwin's 2024 season, per Stroud. There are no plans to place Godwin on IR, but it sounds like he might miss more than just one game. With WR Mike Evans (hamstring) also out for Sunday's game vs. the 49ers, WRs Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson should pick up more snaps. Both guys would be desperation fantasy plays. This passing game should continue to run through WR Emeka Egbuka.
Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan is expected to miss the start of the season after suffering a "severely strained neck" in the second preseason game, according to HC Todd Bowles. Bowles added that the injury "shouldn't be" career threatening. We'll look for a more concrete timeline for McMillan's return.
Update: McMillan will be placed on IR and "could be out past the Bucs Week 9 bye week," according to The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.
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