The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have shocked the NFL by starting off the 2025 season 5-1, leading the NFC South by two games. Their lone loss came against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The Bucs have a strong defense, and quarterback Baker Mayfield has been consistent and reliable, despite a depleted wide receiver room. With Chris Godwin and Mike Evans already on the injured reserve, they couldn’t afford to lose anyone else. Now they are facing games without Emeka Egbuka. How long will he be out?
How Long Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Be Without Rookie Sensation WR Emeka Egbuka?
Egbuka was a standout wide receiver at Ohio State, helping them win a CFP Championship. That’s why it wasn’t a surprise when the Buccaneers selected him 19th overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
The Bucaneers were able to pull out a 30-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. However, the loss of Egbuka was a significant blow, leaving the team’s wide receiver room in a critical deficit.
Egbuka suffered a hamstring injury during the game and was immediately ruled out. After the game was over, head coach Todd Bowles could only add that he was being evaluated.
However, on Monday morning, Ian Rapoport appeared on “Good Morning Football” and addressed Egbuka’s injury.
“Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka is expected to miss time with a hamstring injury,” posted Rapoport.
From @GMFB: #49ers LB Fred Warner, one of the NFL’s best, is out for the season; Meanwhile, #Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka is expected to miss time with a hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/hvgbBBvDZA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2025
Entering Sunday’s game, Egbuka already had 445 receiving yards, fourth most in the league. His five touchdowns were the second most in the league.
PFSN’s Wide Receiver Impact metric has Egbuka ranked ninth overall, reflecting his outstanding season, with a grade of B, at 85.2.
Mayfield has already had his name thrown about as an early MVP candidate because he has taken all of these losses in stride and still found a way to succeed. After Egbuka was injured, Mayfield managed to avoid a sack and get off a pass to rookie Tez Johnson, who was a seventh-round pick.
The Buccaneers’ next game will be in Primetime against the Detroit Lions when they face off in a Monday Night Football showdown. It sounds unlikely that Egbuka will be ready in time for that game, even with an extra day, so Mayfield and the Buccaneers will once again be forced to get creative.
