Week 2 of the NFL season is in the books, and while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are flying high after two straight wins, there’s a bit of concern brewing around one of their most exciting young players.
Emeka Egbuka Misses Practices, Causes Concern
Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who has been nothing short of a breakout star so far, showed up on Wednesday’s injury report as a “Did Not Practice.”
The reason? Hip and groin issues that could put his Week 3 status in question.
Egbuka has wasted no time making a name for himself in Tampa Bay. Drafted 19th overall this past spring, he already looks like one of the steals of the 2025 class. Through two games, he’s found the end zone three times, including a clutch, game-winning touchdown that instantly earned him the trust of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Players in the SB ERA to have 3+ TD catches & 8+ receptions through his first three halves in the NFL:
Emeka Egbuka (2025)
Louis Lipps (1984)
That’s it pic.twitter.com/V86iPLqhSo
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) September 16, 2025
With veteran Chris Godwin sidelined, Egbuka has stepped up as the guy opposite Mike Evans, giving the Buccaneers offense an extra spark when they’ve needed it most.
That’s why Wednesday’s DNP raised some eyebrows. Egbuka briefly left Monday night’s win over the Houston Texans to get checked out on the sideline before returning, so there was already a little cause for concern.
#UPDATE: Egbuka missed practice on Thursday as well, but was able to participate on Friday. He is now expected to play in Week 3.
Now, with the short turnaround from playing on Monday night to not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, it’s possible Tampa Bay is just being cautious. Still, when the injury report spells out hip and groin problems, fans can’t help but worry.
Tampa Bay Move 2-0, All Eyes on Egbuka’s Status
Following that thrilling victory in Houston, where Mayfield led a last-second drive to grab the victory, the Buccaneers are riding high. Even though they are 2-0, they know that the season is long and that losing Egbuka for an extended period could have strained their already small receiving group.
Head coach Todd Bowles and the medical staff kept a close eye on Egbuka as the week progressed.
What’s clear, though, is that the rookie has already shown he belongs. With three touchdowns in two games, highlight-reel plays in crunch time, and the poise of a seasoned vet, Egbuka has quickly become one of the biggest reasons Tampa Bay looks dangerous.
