The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been able to avoid any significant injuries so far this offseason. Knock on wood.
They’ll be holding their breath that second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka won’t buck that positive trend.
Egbuka went down with an injury during joint practice with the New York Jets and limped off the field under his own power. He was examined by athletic trainers but never returned to practice.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka suffers injury in joint practice vs. Jets
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, who is on site for practice, said:
“Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka limped off with athletic trainers. Was examined on the sideline table for a while. Hard to see exactly what’s up from where we are but he’s still on the table and hasn’t returned.”
He later shared that Egbuka returned to the sideline with both shoes off to watch the rest of practice.
Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times added some context, saying that Egbuka was rolled up on after a catch.
With no word yet on the severity, or lack thereof, of Egbuka’s injury, but the Buccaneers certainly don’t want to see one of their most important pieces offensively to miss significant time this close to the regular season.
Buccaneers are counting on a breakout year from Emeka Egbuka
After losing 12-year veteran Mike Evans this offseason, the team is really counting on Egbuka to take the next step and be a key contributor for the offense.
Taking on a new role as the Z receiver in Zac Robinson’s offense, the same role that Cooper Kupp played with the Los Angeles Rams, Egbuka is poised for a second-year breakout with the Buccaneers.
In his rookie season, he caught 63 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns. It was an impressive season overall, but Egbuka did hit the proverbial rookie wall and plateau down the stretch after this incredible start to the season.
Expectations are high for Egbuka, with the belief that he can consistently be the player he was throughout the first few half of his rookie season — and the Bucs can’t afford for this injury to slow him down.
Practice is still ongoing, but Todd Bowles will address the media when it concludes, and Egbuka’s injury status will be one of the first questions he's asked about.
Until Bowles provides some clarity, Bucs fans will be holding their collective breath in hopes this injury doesn't carry into the regular season.
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