Bucs rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka got an MRI on his hamstring on Tuesday, which coincidentally was on his birthday. Fans of the Bucs have been waiting with bated breath over how good or bad the injury news could be. A day later on Wednesday, we got an update.

What’s The Status Of WR Emeka Egbuka?

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Egbuka is going to be out for a little bit, but overall, it’s not that bad.

“My understanding is that it’s not quite as serious as say Mike Evans, but he is expected to miss some time,” Rapoport said. “He is expected to miss this week. Sterling Shepard is going to be even more important than he already was.”

While it only might be one game, it’s still a tough loss for the Bucs. Egbuka has been stellar in his rookie season, he leads the team with 27 receptions for 469 yards and five touchdowns on the year. He is currently fourth in the NFL in receiving yards and tied for third in the league in touchdowns.

Bucs Wr Emeka Egbuka

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

What’s been fascinating about this start is that he’s done with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. in and out of the lineup. Evans played the first three games, then has been out. Godwin Jr. played in Weeks 4 and 5 as he tried to regain his form but miss last week’s game. Egbuka has scored game winning and go-ahead touchdowns, adding to the luster of his fantastic start. He didn’t play much in their Week 6 win over the 49ers, though, exiting before halftime.

Bucs Need Mike Evans Back

Understanding that Emeka Egbuka will be out for Week 7 against the Lions, it would be a big boost for Tampa Bay if Mike Evans were to return. Head coach Todd Bowles said that Evans is in play to practice this week. Evans is still their number one receiver and impacts how defenses game plan for him and the Bucs’ offense.

Bucs Wrs Emeka Egbuka And Mike Evans

Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay got exceptional contributions last game with Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson stepping up big time each scoring a touchdown while Sterling Shepard also made some important plays. The veteran Shepard looks so much better in his second year with the Bucs, and the Johnson’s have provided a spark to the group.

Could they still get the job done against the Lions without Evans? Yes, but it would make the game plan that much more different. If Egbuka is only out for a game or two, they can skate by with having Evans back and the rest of the wide receiver room until they get to the bye. In a way, it’s been receiver by committee for the Bucs this season. This will be another example of it.

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Matt Matera joined Pewter Report as an intern in 2018 and worked his way to becoming a full-time Bucs beat writer in 2020. In addition to providing daily coverage of the Bucs for Pewter Report, he also spearheads the Pewter Report Podcast on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel. Matera also makes regular in-season radio appearances analyzing Bucs football on WDAE 95.3 FM, the flagship station of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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