The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received some encouraging news regarding Emeka Egbuka’s latest injury, but the timing could still have a major impact on the team’s wide receiver competition. Egbuka suffered a toe injury during Wednesday’s joint practice with the New York Jets. The injury has been described as minor, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting it as a toe issue. Egbuka left the practice and did not return.
While that is obviously a much better scenario than a serious injury, the Buccaneers have little reason to push their young receiver back onto the field unnecessarily.
Egbuka is coming off an impressive rookie season and is expected to play a major role in Tampa Bay’s offense. With the regular season only weeks away, the priority should be making sure he’s completely healthy for Week 1 rather than getting him preseason reps he doesn’t necessarily need. That could mean the Buccaneers shut Egbuka down for the preseason.
If that happens, it would create a valuable opportunity for the receivers battling for the final roster spots. Ted Hurst has been one of the biggest standouts of training camp, consistently making difficult catches and showing the ability to make plays down the field. Dennis Houston and Dean Patterson have also made themselves noticed during padded practices, while Kam Johnson stands firmly in the mix, especially as a kick returner. With Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan, and now seemingly Ted Hurst rounding out the top four, every rep matters in a crowded wide receiver room.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Emeka Egbuka injury could open door for Buccaneers WR hopefuls
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
