Egbuka sees lots of air yards, few real yards

Just minutes after head coach Todd Bowles said the team would list Egbuka as doubtful, the official injury report listed him as out, despite his limited participation in Friday’s practice. Egbuka was unable to clear concussion protocol in time to be active for this week, and will now set his sights on returning in Week 8 in time to face the Falcons.

Bowles said Egbuka remains in concussion protocol and initially said “I’d say he’s out [for Week 7], too,” before saying the second-year receiver would be listed as doubtful. Fantasy managers holding out hope that Egbuka will suit up for Sunday’s game against the Panthers should ensure their backup plan is in place, as players listed as doubtful seldom end up playing on game day. Assuming he’s out, Ted Hurst could be tasked with operating as the Bucs’ WR1. Hurst has caught 11-of-22 targets for 168 yards and one touchdown this season but wouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a WR3/FLEX play even with Baker Mayfield (thumb) back under center.

Egbuka missed the first two practices of the week, but could have a shot at suiting up after appearing on the practice field Friday. Head coach Todd Bowles should give an update on Egbuka shortly after practice, so we’ll check back on his official status once we have word on his Week 7 availability. Whether or not he has a chance to play will largely depend on the team’s independent neurologists clearing him from the league’s concussion protocol.

The Buccaneers’ No. 1 wide receiver is now firmly on the wrong side of questionable. It is a huge bummer, particularly after Egbuka earned 16 targets last week. Chris Godwin and rookie Ted Hurst earned targets most effectively behind him, though they are likely best viewed as FLEX starters at this time.

Egbuka finished the Bucs’ overtime loss to the Steelers, so his concussion symptoms likely arose in the hours or days after the game. He will now need to pass through the league’s concussion protocol to be cleared for Week 7. Players typically miss one game while in the protocol, and we don’t know the severity of his foot injury. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without him for at least a week. His absence would free up more looks for Chris Godwin and rookie Ted Hurst, both of whom would be in the WR4 mix if Egbuka can’t go.

Fantasy managers can’t complain about 17.8 PPR points, but this should have been an explosion spot for the second-year wideout. Jalon Daniels routinely missed him on routine throws, the most painful of which was a long would-be touchdown that grazed Egbuka’s hands as it sailed past him. There were several other throws that were behind, low, or simply too late. A short, two-yard score at the top of the second quarter will have to suffice. Egbuka is pulling away as the Bucs’ alpha receiver, pushing him back into the WR2 ranks for the team’s Week 7 date with the Panthers.

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.

Egbuka once again led the Tampa offense in targets and receptions but did not seem to be on the same page with Baker Mayfield. It’s a recurring theme in the early season that might not be worked out any time soon if Mayfield misses time with a hand injury he sustained in the fourth quarter against Minnesota. Egbuka should remain in lineups even if Jadon Daniels gets a start for the Bucs in Week 4 against Miami. He has 141 receiving yards through three games in the dysfunctional Tampa offense.

Bizarrely, Egbuka was not targeted after the break in a game the Bucs trailed 24-10 at the half and 27-10 early in the third. He nevertheless led the Bucs’ wideouts and tight ends in looks, though Bucky Irving led the team with seven. The Bucs were all out of sorts thanks to four lost fumbles, setting up short fields for the Bengals and limiting the Bucs’ overall play volume. The good news is, Egbuka looked healthy and springy. The downtrodden Browns are on tap for Week 2.