The Tampa Bay Buccaneers relayed positive news on the injury front ahead of the Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets on September 20, via ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler.
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka, who is questionable (hip, groin), is expected to play Sunday vs. Jets, per sources,” Fowler reported on Saturday afternoon. Adding: “The rookie has three touchdowns through two games.”
Needless to say, this is a massive update for the Buccaneers‘ offense, which would have been running low on playmakers if Egbuka didn’t suit up.
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Looks Like a Genius for Drafting WR Emeka Egbuka in Round 1
GettyTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is expected to play in Week 3.
The Egbuka selection was immediately questioned by many around the league, not because the Ohio State prospect was a bad player, but because the Buccaneers‘ WR corps was perceived to be their No. 1 strength before the pick.
In hindsight, getting Egbuka at No. 19 overall was an absolute steal and yet another brilliant draft move by general manager Jason Licht.
With Chris Godwin’s injury recovery taking longer than expected and second-year wideout Jalen McMillan suffering a major injury during the preseason, Egbuka has been invaluable, and he’s also been one of the best-performing rookies around the entire NFL.
Through two weeks, Egbuka has 8 receptions for 96 yards and 3 touchdowns. He ranks tied for first in the league in receiving touchdowns and tied for 52nd in total receptions. His yardage total is a little lower and is tied for 59th.
Either way, Egbuka’s impact has been huge opposite Mike Evans, as the Bucs are 2-0 despite their wide receiver injuries. Expect those two to lead the offense on Sunday, along with running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, tight end Cade Otton, and veteran WRs Sterling Shepard and Ryan Miller.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Jets CB Sauce Gardner Called Matchup to Watch in Week 3
Buccaneers team reporter Scott Smith highlighted several storylines and key matchups ahead of Week 3, and Evans versus Jets CB Sauce Gardner stands out as a crucial battle.
“In the Bucs’ Monday night game in Houston, the Texans chose to have their top cornerback, Derek Stingley, travel with Evans throughout the games rather than playing primarily on one side,” Smith reminded. Evans still caught five passes for 56 yards, including one crucial gain that put the ball at the Texans‘ seven-yard line shortly before Rachaad White’s game-winning touchdown, but Stingley also had several breakups on quick passes meant for the Bucs’ top receiver.
Evans has clearly drawn a lot of attention from opposing coordinators in the first two weeks of the season, which has opened up a lot of field for rookie Emeka Egbuka, who has already scored three touchdowns,” the Tampa Bay reporter went on, explaining how this could impact Egbuka.
The Jets may choose to do the same thing with another one of the NFL’s best young cornerbacks, Sauce Gardner,” he wrote. “Notably, Gardner shadowed the Steelers’ top receiver, DK Metcalf, on almost all of his routes in Week One, and Metcalf was targeted just three times on those plays, recording one catch. Gardner was a first-team Associated Press All-Pro in each of his first two seasons after being drafted fourth overall in 2022, and while his 2024 campaign may not have quite measured up to those first two years he appears to be in top form early this season.”
With Evans potentially up against Gardner, Egbuka’s availability will be even more important for the Buccaneers.
Buccaneers Get Major Boost in Week 3 After Injury News: Report