Ted

Hurst

Baker Mayfield only attempted three passes in this game. One of them was a deep shot for Hurst into the end zone. Hurst initially had the catch as he spun around for the back-shoulder ball, but Falcons corner Mike Hughes jarred the ball loose for an incompletion. It was Hurst’s second week in a row with zero catches on one target. Hurst has topped out at three catches for 40 yards in a single game this year. He isn’t on the fantasy radar for Week 9.

A buzzy WR4 with Emeka Egbuka (foot, concussion) on the shelf, Hurst ended up drawing just one target in a game where the Bucs rode their run game and Panthers turnovers to a thumping road victory. Hugely disappointing if you threw the dart, but Hurst is still an upside bench stash for a team that finally has its starting quarterback back. That being said, Hurst is probably not going to find himself inside the top 50 for Week 8 against 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.

Hurst tied his season highs in catches and yards today. He also drew a defensive pass interference call that netted Tampa Bay 22 yards. Emeka Egbuka would score on the very next play. Hurst is looking like a solid field-stretcher, but the Bucs’ offense isn’t set up to support more than one fantasy-relevant pass-catcher. With Emeka Egbuka decisively taking that role, Hurst is buried in the WR6 ranks going forward.

Hurst has seen his role eaten into by downfield threat Tez Johnson as the season has progressed, clearly not yet ready to take on a full workload in the offense as he enters the second month of his rookie season. Hurst brings the size and physicality to grow into a consistent producer at the NFL level, something fantasy managers could have to be patient with in the coming weeks. Hurst safely remains a bench stash ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Steelers.

Hurst was the only Bucs pass-catcher to gain more than 20 yards on a single play. The passing game was otherwise relegated to intermediate throws and check-downs in Jalon Daniels’ first start. With Jalen McMillan on IR, Hurst has locked up a starting role. That simply is worth much for fantasy managers with a backup quarterback under center. Hurst will be a desperation FLEX play when he takes on the Cowboys next week.

Hurst caught a perfectly-placed 40-yard score down the seam in the first half and did not see another look from Baker Mayfield. It wasn’t a lack of playing time that limited Hurst: He ran a route on 39 of the team’s 43 drop backs on the day. His downfield profile will make Hurst a volatile weekly play in 12-team leagues. He should probably stay on benches next week against the Dolphins if Mayfield (hand) is sidelined, however.

Hurst was overthrown by Baker Mayfield a few times in the second half. It could have been a big day for the speedy rookie if his quarterback weren’t struggling so mightily with deep throws. Hurst had a solid role though, running a route on 29 of the team’s 37 drop backs. He will be a high-variance flex play for Week 3 against the Vikings if Mayfield can find a little accuracy.

The Bucs are going to ease McMillan back into the lineup after he missed Week 1 with the knee injury. McMillan will take rookie Ted Hurst’s spot in the lineup once healthy, but that might not happen until Week 3. Until we see what their split looks like, neither Hurst nor McMillan should be in fantasy lineups.

McMillan missed Week 1 due to a knee issue, despite getting in three limited practices during the week. He was listed as doubtful and the team ruled him out ahead of kickoff. It seems like the team was taking a cautious approach with his return from the training camp injury, and he should be good for Week 2. McMillan is expected to take rookie Ted Hurst’s spot in the lineup at X. Hurst managed just three catches for 36 yards in the role. In his first game of the season, McMillan will be buried in the WR5 ranks for fantasy purposes.