Multiple Bucs WRs don’t practice Tuesday

Godwin’s three targets finished tied for fourth on the team behind Emeka Egbuka, Cade Otton, and Kenny Gainwell on a night backup quarterback Jalon Daniels attempted only 25 passes. Week 5 now marks the fourth game in five tries in which Godwin was held to four targets or fewer, leaving the veteran wide receiver completely unusable in a fantasy setting, for the time being. He can safely be stashed on benches ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Steelers.

Egbuka’s nine targets handily led the team on a night undrafted free agent rookie Jalon Daniels attempted only 25 passes. The team also demonstrated an active desire to get Egbuka more involved following a four-target game against the Packers a week ago, feeding him a red zone carry on a jet sweep for his touchdown score. Egbuka remains at the mercy of the team’s lackluster quarterback situation for at least another week, pending Baker Mayfield’s injury. He’ll be a shaky WR3 against the Steelers in Week 6.

Egbuka had been operating as the Bucs’ No. 1 receiver until this game. With Jalon Daniels struggling to get the deep ball going, he opted for easy completions to Cade Otton and Chris Godwin, who combined for 10 catches. Egbuka, in turn, was hung out to dry. He almost saved the day with a touchdown catch, but the throw was low and behind him. Egbuka still had a chance to bring in the pass but couldn’t corral it with a Green Bay defender smothering him in coverage. Egbuka hasn’t topped 64 yards in a game since Week 10 of last year. With Daniles under center for a few more weeks, it may be a while before Egbuka hits triple digits again. He is barely a WR3 for his Week 5 date with the Cowboys.

UDFA rookie Jalon Daniels made his first career start and leaned on Godwin for some easy completions. Godwin led the team in catches and targets, though Cade Otton surprisingly led the way in yards with 37. Godwin set new season highs in targets and catches. The Bucs are operating an incredibly low-wattage offense without Baker Mayfield, but Godwin could continue to see enough work to return WR4 numbers in PPR leagues. He will put that to the test versus the Cowboys in Week 5.

Godwin was a full participant for two straight days after a Wednesday DNP. The insertion of Jalon Daniels makes him (well, makes every Buccaneers player) hard to trust for Week 4, but Godwin is probably still in the FLEX conversation.

Godwin should be expected to play in Week 4 against the Packers at this point, although he has mostly underperformed thus far. Buccaneers OC Zac Robinson said earlier that Godwin Jr. “is a stud and will continue to do his thing. The ball will find him.” That might be harder than one imagines with an undrafted free agent rookie at quarterback.

It will likely go down as a limited session for the veteran wideout, but Godwin should be on track to play in Week 4. The bad news is that he will do so with UDFA rookie Jalon Daniels as his quarterback. Godwin was already off to a slow start, and things aren’t likely to improve with a backup quarterback under center. He is low-wattage FLEX play for Week 4.

Godwin’s history of lower-leg injuries makes this a little bit concerning. The veteran wide receiver is already set to catch passes from a backup quarterback. If active, he may be playing on an injured ankle. He can only be viewed as a boom-bust FLEX at this time.

Imaging Monday confirmed a PCL sprain for McMillan, who will soon move to injured reserve with a month-plus recovery timeline. The Buccaneers are also dealing with an injury to quarterback Baker Mayfield’s thumb on his throwing hand, although initial testing was positive. Now sitting at 0-3 and in last place in the NFC South, they’ll likely look to youth to attempt to save their season. On that note, no team in the division currently holds a winning record through three weeks.

McMillan suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Vikings and did not return to the game. The 24-year-old receiver has played in two games this season but has yet to register a catch on the nine offensive snaps he has played. It’s been a rough two seasons for McMillan, who missed nearly all of last season with a serious neck injury that sidelined him until Week 15.