The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be breathing a sigh of relief heading into their Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who was listed as questionable earlier this week with hip and groin injuries, is expected to suit up on Sunday.
After missing Wednesday’s practice, Egbuka was able to return in a limited capacity on Friday, a strong indication that he’ll be ready to go.
Emeka Egbuka’s Latest Injury Update
Early on Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Egbuka will in fact play. However, he is expected to have his snaps monitored and potentially limited based on how he feels during the game
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka, who is expected to play today vs. the Jets despite hip and groin injuries, is expected to have his snaps monitored and potentially limited based on how he feels during the game, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2025
That’s welcome news for the Buccaneers, who have leaned heavily on the first-round pick through the opening two weeks of the season. Drafted 19th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Egbuka has wasted no time making his presence felt.
He already has three touchdown receptions in just two games, including clutch, go-ahead scores that helped Tampa Bay race out to a 2-0 start.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has found a quick connection with the rookie, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin still sidelined by an ankle injury, Egbuka has stepped into a bigger role alongside Mike Evans and handled the spotlight with poise.
His speed, sharp route-running, and knack for big-moment plays have made him one of the league’s early breakout stars.
Earlier in the week, there was real concern after Egbuka appeared on the injury report as “Did Not Practice.” He briefly left Monday night’s win against the Houston Texans to be examined on the sideline, and soft-tissue injuries like his can often linger.
But the fact that he returned Friday and looked comfortable enough to participate in drills suggests that the Buccaneers are managing his workload carefully rather than signaling a major setback.
Bucs Keeping Eye on Egbuka Against Jets
Tampa Bay will likely keep a close eye on Egbuka’s snap count and usage against the Jets, making sure they don’t risk aggravating the injury. Still, having him on the field at all is a huge boost for an offense that has thrived off his early production.
His ability to stretch defenses and create mismatches gives Mayfield another reliable option when the game is on the line.
After just two games in his rookie campaign, Egbuka has already begun to make an early case for Offensive Rookie of the Year. If he’s able to play through this minor injury and continue his hot start, the Buccaneers’ offense will remain one of the more intriguing storylines to watch as the season unfolds.
These ultra-talented receivers are taking essentially no time to assert their dominance at the professional level. Think about the WR1 in New York (Giants), Seattle, Los Angeles (both!), Carolina, Atlanta, and Chicago to name a few.
There appears to be essentially no learning curve for how these kids are entering the pros, and Emeka Egbuka might end up being the cream of the crop.
Players in the 2000s with 3 TD receptions in their first two career games:
- Martavis Bryant (2014)
- Jahan Dotson (2022)
- Emeka Egbuka (2025)
Pace: 68 catches and double-digit TD receptions. WRs in the 2000s to do that as a rookie:
- Brian Thomas Jr. (2024)
- Jordan Addison (2023)
- Ja’Marr Chase (2021)
- Mike Evans (2014)
- Odell Beckham (2014)
Baker Mayfield isn’t shy about featuring his top playmakers, and while Mike Evans is still getting plenty of looks, a veteran like that is at risk of seeing his usage taper off with time, while Egbuka’s role might continue to grow for the next two seasons.
He seemed to be dealing with a nagging injury on Monday night, and that deserves monitoring, but with three impressive scores and crisp route running, he’s the rookie in this class, not Ashton Jeanty, that is a stone-cold lineup lock.
