Buccaneers WRs Emeka Egbuka Suffers Toe Sprain

Bowles said that he is “not sure at this time” if Egbuka, who is dealing with a toe sprain, will be ready for Week 1. However, the team is optimistic regarding his status, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

McMillan has been sidelined for two weeks with a “banged-up knee,” Bowles added. This is the second straight training camp in which the 2024 third-rounder has missed time with an injury. McMillan broke a bone in his neck last preseason that forced him onto injured reserve and limited him to just four regular-season appearances.

Tampa Bay is expecting both young wideouts – especially Egbuka, a 2025 first-round pick – to step up in 2026 following the departure of Mike Evans. Egbuka excelled while Evans and Chris Godwin were sidelined last year, racking up 677 yards and six touchdowns through his first nine games, but he faded down the stretch with just 261 yards and zero scores in the second half of the season. McMillan had a promising rookie year with 461 yards and eight touchdowns and managed to pick up where he left off post-injury in 2025 with 178 yards across the final four games of the season. 

Godwin is already looking at a WR1 target share, so Tampa Bay will need other pass-catchers to step up with Egbuka and McMillan sidelined, especially if their absences extend into the regular season. 2025 seventh-round pick Tez Johnson and third-round rookie Ted Hurst are the primary candidates for more work. Johnson impressed with several solid performances in the middle of his rookie year, while Hurst put up 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final 24 games at Georgia State. Both should see more action in practice in the coming weeks and could carve out regular-season roles pending their teammates’ returns.