Bucs' Egbuka Cleared for Opener; McMillan, Tucker Doubtful — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Emeka Egbuka will be "full go" for Sunday's opener at Cincinnati per coach Todd Bowles; he was a full practice participant this week after a toe sprain from joint practices with the NY Jets one month ago.
- Jalen McMillan (knee injury since early August) and Sean Tucker (hamstring sustained in the final preseason game) are listed as doubtful, leaving Tampa thin at receiver and running back to start the season.
- Chris Godwin Jr. enters his 10th season off a strong camp; QB Baker Mayfield called him "as good a Chris Godwin as I've seen," positioning him as the clear No. 1 target after Mike Evans' departure.
- Tez Johnson, a second-year receiver who scored five touchdowns as a rookie, and return specialist Kameron Johnson round out the depth chart behind Godwin and Egbuka.
- Ted Hurst III, a rookie, benefited from extra reps during McMillan's and Egbuka's long absences; Bowles called the experience "invaluable" for his mental grasp of the playbook.
Why it matters: With McMillan (knee) and Tucker (hamstring) both doubtful, the Bucs open at Cincinnati leaning on a 10th-year Godwin, the fully cleared Egbuka, second-year Tez Johnson, and rookie Ted Hurst III to absorb Mike Evans' vacated production — a steep ask for Week 1.
Ask SkimNews
