The 2025 NFL season has been rough for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from an injury perspective, as the team has had several notable names on the mend over the course of the season thus far.
However, even though star players like wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have missed considerable time, a star has emerged in the form of rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka.
The Ohio State product got off to a red-hot start to his NFL career, as he caught five touchdown passes in his first five games while becoming one of Baker Mayfield‘s favorite targets downfield.
Even though Egbuka has had a remarkable first season in Tampa Bay, the 23-year-old has struggled as of late, as he’s hauled in only one touchdown catch over the last eight games.
Bucs OC Shows Support for Emeka Egbuka
GettyEmeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Egbuka not putting up the numbers he did earlier in the 2025 campaign, there have been questions about the rookie’s confidence, but Bucs’ offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard doesn’t think that’s the case.
“I don’t even think it’s really confidence, he’s a very confident guy,” Grizzard said during media availability. “What we’ve asked him to do [as a] rookie gets taken for granted a lot, even from the coaching staff. It’s not easy to do what he’s done on playing all three positions. He’s a guy that came in here from day one and has prepared the right way. He’s played all three spots. He’s won games for us. We have all the confidence in the world in him. We’re going to try to get it to him early, often, with the game on the line, which he’s proven he can do. No one’s more upset with him than himself.”
Heading into Week 14’s matchup against the division rival Atlanta Falcons, Egbuka has recorded 54 receptions for 806 receiving yards (tied for 17th in the NFL) and eight touchdowns (tied for 11th).
If the Bucs want to clinch a playoff spot, most likely via the NFC South division title, the team will hope to get Egbuka back to form and firing on all cylinders in the final four games of the 2025 campaign.
Bucs Get Promising Mike Evans Update
GettyMike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans has had a tough season in terms of staying healthy, as he’s played in only four games this season due to injury issues. He hasn’t played since Oct. 20 against the Detroit Lions, when he fractured his collarbone, which resulted in his placement on injured reserve.
However, along with Jalen McMillan, Evans appears to be trending in the right direction while back at practice, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
“They looked good,” Bowles said via the team’s website. “They looked fresh. I mean, they ran great routes and looked like they never left. Obviously, they haven’t been hit or anything yet, but they looked good in practice.”
Bowles was asked whether Evans had shown enough during practice.
“Yeah, he has,” he said. “He has.”
It seems as though Evans could be back on the field for the Bucs in Week 15 for perhaps the most important game in the final stretch against the division rival Carolina Panthers, which will give Tampa Bay a considerable boost downfield.
Buccaneers OC Josh Grizzard Sends Clear Message to Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka