2 Bucs WRs Leave Night Practice Early With Injuries

Johnson had been having a great training camp thus far and had been the most consistent receiver throughout. He bad been building chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield but also has quickly grown a rapport with backup Jake Browning. The two of them connected on a deep ball touchdown early on in training camp.

With the addition of Ted Hurst to the wide receiver room, along with Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan ready to return, the message was clear to Johnson that it was time to step up in order to solidify a role for himself in this offense under new offensive coordinator and play caller Zac Robinson.

On Sunday, Johnson talked about all the improvements he made going into year two.

“I think my confidence is just higher than last year,” Johnson said. “Last year, I was just trying to feel it out and I got kind of thrown in the fire a little earlier than what I expected. [I’m] coming back with the confidence. Having that playing time from last year, it just gave me the confidence that I needed.

“[The] only time I really think [the game] fast is when I’m thinking too much. But [when] I’m not thinking it’s pretty much slow and it’s what I do.”

Sills, who played under Robinson in Atlanta last year, signed with the Bucs this offseason and is fighting for one of the last receiver spots on the 53-man roster. Due to the talent level on the team, Sills could end up being a valuable piece on the practice squad that could get called up sporadically due to game plan and availability, similar to when Sterling Shepard was in Tampa Bay.

Having previously played with Robinson is a bonus, and Sills started to break out on Sunday when he scored three touchdowns in training camp practice. Along with the 6-foot-4 Hurst, the 6-foot-3 Sills is one of the receivers that gives a height advantage to the team.

Bucs Are Getting Thin At Wide Receiver

The Bucs are being very cautious with their wide receiver position. It makes sense because they arguably the most talented position group that they have from top to bottom.

Jalen McMillan has missed the previous day of practice along with tonight from a knee injury. Bowles confirmed on Tuesday night that he banged his knee in practice the other day and they are just being careful with him. Emeka Egbuka missed Monday’s practice but did return on Tuesday. Bowles described both of their injuries just as being sore. Of course veteran Chris Godwin Jr., who is 30, has scheduled maintenance days in, too.

This opens up opportunities for several other receivers on the team to improve their chances of catching the coaching staff’s attention. The first player that comes to mind is Hurst, but this also gives a chance to the speedy undrafted wide receiver Eric Rivers. There’s also Kameron Johnson, who was the team’s punt returner last season, who can make more of an impact in the passing game. Undrafted free agent wide receiver Dean Patterson IV from nearby Pasco County had a touchdown on Tuesday night.

Since it’s training camp, there’s no need to rush some of Tampa Bay’s most important players back just yet. The most important responsibility is to make sure they’re as healthy as possible going into Week 1 of the regular season at Cincinnati.