The Bucs will be without three important players for their upcoming road game against the Panthers on Sunday. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, right tackle Luke Goedeke and safety Antoine Winfield are all out, while quarterback Baker Mayfield makes his return for the first time in Week 3.

While it’s not a surprise over Winfield, who’s missed the previous two games, it does become a bit more alarming with Egbuka and Goedeke. Each player sat out Wednesday and Thursday’s practice but did return to the field on Friday. Typically that’s a signal that a player may have chance to give it a go for the game, but that was taken out of the equation almost immediately with this designation.

Tampa Bay is getting a thinner at receiver with Egbuka out and Jalen McMillan still on injured reserve. There’s been a ton of conversation this week about the team’s inability to get Chris Godwin Jr. the football, but he becomes the team’s number one receiver in Egbuka’s absence with Ted Hurst III being the second wide receiver.

Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Ted Hurst III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It’ll be intriguing how much Hurst can get involved with Mayfield coming back under center. The two built a great deal of chemistry during training camp as Egbuka and McMillan missed significant time and Godwin had scheduled rest days. This left occasions where Hurst was the top receiver for Mayfield to throw to. A good example would be in the joint training camp practice with the Jets, where Mayfield and Hurst played pitch and catch in a two minute drill.

Mayfield has looked Hurst’s way a bit this season. Hurst dropped what would’ve been the game winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Browns in Week 2, but the duo did connect on a 4o-yard touchdown in Week 3, the longest touchdown reception of the year for Tampa Bay and the first of  Hurst’s career. Expect Tez Johnson to be involved a good deal, too, and it’s also likely that we see David Sills V for the first time this season.

The offensive line will have a new look with Goedeke out. Tampa Bay has two choices, they can go with veteran Justin Skule or second year up and coming tackle Ben Chukwuma. Skule has much more starting experience and is more of a steady player. Chukwuma on the other hand has a higher ceiling and more raw talent, but has limited experience.

Steelers DL Cameron Heyward and Bucs OL Luke Goedeke – Photo by: USA TODAY SPORTS via Reuters Connect

Chukwuma struggled a lot during camp, which may have the Bucs lean towards the veteran Skule. Also, there was a recent game where Tristan Wirfs missed a snap and it was Skule that filled in over Chukwuma. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Skule got the nod with an important need for stability.

It’s a must-win game for the Bucs and they certainly not as healthy as can be. There’s no excuses, though, and they have to find a way to win to keep any hope remaining for this season.

Here is the full injury report for the Bucs and Panthers before their NFC South matchup.

Bucs OT Justin Skule – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Bucs Friday Injury Report

Emeka Egbuka – Concussion/Foot – Limited – Out

Luke Goedeke – Calf – Limited – Out

Antoine Winfield Jr. – Rib – Limited – Out

Baker Mayfield – Right Thumb – Full – Questionable

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Panthers Friday Injury Report

Thomas Incoom – Calf – DNP – Out

Jaelan Phillips – Hamstring – DNP – Out

Monroe Freeling – Knee – Full – Questionable

Bam Martin-Scott – Hamstring – Full – Questionable