Bucs Camp Insider 8-20: Tez Johnson Shines In Battle For WR3 Role

There was another return to the field Wednesday in the form of reserve wide receiver Dennis Houston, who had a strong start to training camp before suffering an injury in the preseason opener against the Titans.

With that being said, though, there were still several players out injured for Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Tykee Smith, Tyrek Funderburk and Mike Greene were once again working on the side with trainers early in practice, while Jaden Smith, Jake Majors, Raiqwon O'Neal, Benjamin Morrison, Christian Izien, Josh Hayes and Antonio Grier Jr. were all out. Cade Otton was sidelined as well.

Tez Johnson Steps Up Amid Big Injuries At Wide Receiver

With Chris Godwin still making his way back from the season-ending injury he suffered last October and Jalen McMillan set to miss at least t he first half of the season with a severe neck sprain, the Bucs' depth at wide receiver is already being tested. They do still have future Hall of Famer Mike Evans leading the way atop the depth chart, but spending a first-round pick on Emeka Egbuka has proven to be massive in hindsight as the rookie will now begin the season as WR2.

So, who will be WR3 to start the 2025 season? Veteran Sterling Shepard is bound to be in the mix behind Evans and Egbuka, as are multi-year Buccaneers like Ryan Miller and potentially even Trey Palmer. But Tampa Bay spending a seventh-round draft pick on Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson could prove to be a masterstroke as well.

Johnson returned to practice last week from an early-camp injury and got his first preseason action Saturday night against the Steelers, and on Wednesday, he was making play after play on the practice field at One Buc Place during 11-on-11s. He was getting open constantly and caught just about everything thrown his way save for a deep ball that just slipped through his fingers over the middle of the field.

Later on, the team went into its red zone period and Johnson stepped up again, getting open and catching a touchdown from Teddy Bridgewater.

It was a spectacular day for the rookie, who is likely to feature again in Saturday night's preseason finale against the Bills. While Shepard certainly has the experience factor and has a well-established rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield, look for Johnson to be a key part of things early on without Godwin and McMillan, whether as WR4 or a fringe WR3.

Observations & Highlights From Day 17 Of Bucs Training Camp

Here are some quick-hitting observations from Tampa Bay's 17th training camp practice of 2025:

• Elsewhere in 11-on-11s, Mike Evans made an unbelievable leaping one-handed grab late in practice. In fairness, Bryce Hall wisely didn't go for a big hit to break it up, but Evans was in a vulnerable spot, so that play probably isn't completed in a game setting. Still, it was an impressive grab to witness.
• In the red zone period, Emeka Egbuka got open for a touchdown catch from Baker Mayfield.

• There was some strong 1-on-1 action going on between the Bucs offensive and defensive lines early in practice, starting with a good rep from right tackle Luke Goedeke against veteran outside linebacker Anthony Nelson.
• Nelson would later get Goedeke back, hitting him with a move the fourth-year right tackle never saw coming and beating him for a would-be sack.
• Ben Chukwuma drew a lot of praise from head coach Todd Bowles after practice for his tools and ability to learn and develop, but it's clear he's still a work in progress. That was on full display during 1-on-1s when Chris Braswell blew by him to get into the backfield almost untouched.
• Rookie Elijah Roberts had a great rep against Michael Jordan, beating him inside into the backfield.
• Graham Barton had a rough go of it during 1-on-1s, first getting pushed back by Vita Vea before getting a rep in at left tackle against Yaya Diaby, who beat him as well.
• Speaking of Diaby, he flashed in 1-on-1s in general, beating left tackle Charlie Heck on another rep.
• Wide receiver Ryan Miller wants to know what you think about his new mustache.