Emeka Egbuka's historic rookie NFL campaign appears to have hit a snag. The electrifying young wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury in the team's Week 6 victory against the San Francisco 49ers.
It's unclear when Egbuka got hurt, but he didn't log a snap in the second half of the Buccaneers' 30-19 win over the 49ers. Nevertheless, he was deemed doubtful to return to the contest, per the Buccaneers' official X (formerly known as Twitter) account.
Egbuka was downgraded to out shortly following the initial update (h/t the Buccaneers' senior writer/editor, Scott Smith). That's an ominous sign for an offense already bereft of playmakers due to a litany of health concerns.
Bucs injury update: WR Emeka Egbuka has been downgraded to out due to his hamstring injury.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) October 12, 2025
Buccaneers' injury woes continue vs. 49ers via rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka
Somehow, the hits keep coming for the Bucs. First, longtime franchise wideout Mike Evans went down with a soft tissue issue, a recurring theme throughout his Hall of Fame career. Then, Tampa Bay lost star running back Bucky Irving to shoulder/foot problems. Meanwhile, one-time All-Pro Chris Godwin's recent comeback from a gruesome ankle ailment has been marred by a concerning bump in the road.
It's almost as if the football Gods are testing this gritty Bucs squad's resilience, with the loss of Egbuka being the latest obstacle. Tampa Bay's greatest strength is arguably its depth, which continues diminishing with each passing day.
The Bucs have overcome the absences of Evans, Irving, Godwin and other notable contributors because they've seamlessly replaced them. However, that becomes increasingly difficult if Egbuka isn't in the lineup. The 2025 No. 19 overall pick has enabled quarterback Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay to keep operating at a high level despite being severely shorthanded.
In addition to Mayfield's dwindling weapons, the Bucs have deployed a revolving door of offensive linemen. One by one, his supporting cast has been falling apart, including the blockers up front. Egbuka was the lone constant for the signal-caller -- until now.
Regardless of the turmoil surrounding him, Egbuka has stepped in as an instant difference-maker for the 5-1 Bucs. For whatever it's worth, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio indicated that "the injury currently isn't believed to be serious," though an MRI will provide more clarity.
Egbuka caught two of four targets for 24 scoreless yards versus the 49ers before exiting the game. He's quickly earned Mayfield's trust and become a fan favorite in Tampa Bay. Seventh-round newcomer Tez Johnson and undrafted second-year pro Kameron Johnson each scored touchdowns in his stead, and tight end Cade Otton posted a 5-51-0 line.