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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Seems to be full practice participant
Wed, Sep 9, 2026, 11:20 AM
McMillan (knee) appeared to be a full participant in the portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Tampa Bay will release its first injury report of the season following Wednesday's session, when it will be known whether McMillan was in fact a full participant or limited in some capacity. Even a limited listing would still put McMillan in a strong position to play in Sunday's season opener versus the Bengals, after a sore knee as well as a left calf injury kept him off the field for much of training camp. McMillan projects to begin the season as Tampa Bay's No. 3 receiver behind Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Chris Godwin. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Looks to be practicing fully Wednesday
Wed, Sep 9, 2026, 11:12 AM
Egbuka (toe) was on the field for the start of Wednesday's practice and appeared to be a full participant, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Tampa Bay will post its first injury report of the season after Wednesday's session concludes, and if Egbuka is in fact listed as a full participant, he would be in the clear to play in Sunday's season opener versus the Bengals. For much of training camp, Egbuka was a spectator or limited participant while he tended to a sprained toe, but he appears to have made positive strides in his recovery over the past week. Tampa Bay looks set to have all of its key pass catchers available for Week 1, as Jalen McMillan (knee) also looked to be practicing fully Wednesday. |
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Sean Tucker Sean Tucker Not present for practice
Wed, Sep 9, 2026, 11:08 AM
Tucker (undisclosed) wasn't spotted on the field for the start of Wednesday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: The nature of the injury that has kept Tucker from practicing for the past week won't be known until the Buccaneers post their first injury report of 2026 following Wednesday's session. Earlier in the week, head coach Todd Bowles described Tucker as a likely game-time decision heading into Sunday's season opener versus the Bengals. The reserve running back will likely need to practice in at least a limited fashion by Friday to avoid being ruled out heading into the weekend. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Lands $165M extension with Bucs
Tue, Sep 8, 2026, 4:19 PM
Mayfield and the Buccaneers agreed Tuesday on a three-year, $165 million contract extension, Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport of ESPN report.
Analysis: Though Mayfield's self-imposed deadline of the start of training camp for signing a new contract came and went without him coming to terms with the Buccaneers, the two sides revisited extension talks less than a week before the start of the regular season and were able to find common ground on a deal. With the new deal in place, the Buccaneers will avoid losing Mayfield in free agency next offseason and keep him on their books through 2029. Mayfield's first three seasons in Tampa Bay have been a resounding success, with the quarterback averaging 31.6 touchdown passes per season and having led the team to two playoff appearances. |
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Sean Tucker Sean Tucker Likely to be GTD for Week 1
Mon, Sep 7, 2026, 1:18 PM
Coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Tucker (undisclosed) will likely be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Tucker did not practice Monday, and the exact nature of his injury isn't known, though the Bucs will be required to provide more clarity with Wednesday's first official injury report of the season. If Tucker is unable to go against Cincinnati, Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell should handle most, if not all, of the backfield snaps. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan On field for Monday's practice
Mon, Sep 7, 2026, 1:15 PM
McMillan (knee) was on the field running routes at Monday's practice, PewterReport.com reports.
Analysis: Both McMillan and Emeka Egbuka (toe) were participating in Monday's session, putting both in good position to play Sunday against the Bengals. McMillan missed most of training camp, but his injury never sounded serious. He's expected to compete with rookie Ted Hurst for WR3 duties behind Egbuka and Chris Godwin this season. McMillan is the favorite to open the campaign in three-wide sets. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Getting work Monday
Mon, Sep 7, 2026, 11:25 AM
Egbuka (toe) is "participating in warmups and running routes" at Monday's practice, according to Pewter Report.
Analysis: Egbuka was limited to work on the side last week, and although it's not yet clear how much he will do Monday, it appears he has taken a step forward in his recovery from a toe issue. There has been hope that Egbuka will be available for Week 1, and there remains reason to believe he will be available for Tampa Bay's opener. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton Remains No. 1 TE on depth chart
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 2:36 PM
Otton is listed as the No. 1 TE on the Buccaneers' unofficial depth chart.
Analysis: Aside from adding sixth-round rookie Bauer Sharp to the TE room this offseason, it's status quo for the position group in 2026, with all of Otton, Payne Durham and Ko Kieft back. Otton himself re-signed with Tampa Bay on a three-year, $30 million contract in March to retain his standing as the team's top tight end. Over the last two regular seasons, he's recorded exactly 59 catches on both occasions, totaling 1,172 yards and five touchdowns on 168 targets across 30 contests. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield One preseason appearance
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 2:29 PM
Mayfield logged just one appearance during the Buccaneers' three-game preseason schedule.
Analysis: Mayfield took the field for preseason Week 2 against the Chiefs on Aug. 22, leading two drives and finishing 2-for-4 passing for 10 yards. Both possessions ended in Riley Dixon punts, but Mayfield wasn't working with any of his top wide receivers or tight ends. WRs Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) are dealing with injuries as Week 1 draws closer, so how both fare in practice next week will be key for Mayfield's prospects at Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13. |
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Kenny Gainwell Kenny Gainwell Part of RB mix with Irving and Tucker
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 1:45 PM
Gainwell is one of three running backs on Tampa Bay's 53-man roster, along with Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
Analysis: Gainwell signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season. He's likely to fill a change-of-pace role while playing primarily in passing situations, much like Rachaad White did for the past couple seasons in a Buccaneers backfield that's expected to be led by Irving as long as the latter stays healthy. Tucker could be a thorn in the side of both Gainwell and Irving from a fantasy perspective if Tucker reprises his red-zone role from 2025, which helped him punch in a team-high seven rushing touchdowns. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Will try to fend off competition for touches
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 1:40 PM
Irving is set to lead a Buccaneers backfield that also includes Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
Analysis: Irving figures to get most of the rushing opportunities in Tampa Bay's backfield, though Gainwell is likely to play in passing situations after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season and subsequently signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March. Tucker was used frequently in the red zone last season, leading the Buccaneers with seven rushing touchdowns. Irving saw his rushing touchdown total dip to one in 10 games during his injury-plagued 2025 campaign after scoring eight regular-season rushing touchdowns as a rookie. Despite the competition for touches, Irving maintains the highest ceiling in Tampa Bay's backfield given his success in 2024. |
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Chris Godwin Jr. Chris Godwin Jr. Draws praise from GM Licht
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 7:29 PM
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht praised Godwin on Monday for his consistency and veteran leadership, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: "I would be remiss if I did not mention [Godwin] for all he has done for this organization and talk about being a consistent, steady, Mr. Clutch player, that is him and he looks very, very good out there right now," Licht relayed Monday. For the first time in his NFL career, Godwin enters the season out of the shadows of Mike Evans (groin), the latter of whom signed a three-year contract with the 49ers in March. Godwin logged 1,000-plus yard seasons four times from 2019 to 2023, and he was the league leader in receptions before dislocating his ankle in Week 7. He was limited to nine regular-season games last year due to a fibula injury, but Godwin is fully healthy entering the 2026 campaign and will serve as a go-to target in the passing game for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Godwin could operate in an elevated role early in the season depending on the statuses of Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) for Week 1 against the Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 13. |
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Sean Tucker Sean Tucker Dealing with minor injury
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 11:28 AM
Tucker (undisclosed) didn't practice Wednesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Coach Todd Bowles said Tucker is dealing with a minor injury. It's unclear if it's an issue that will affect his availability for the Bucs' Week 1 game against the Bengals in 11 days. Tucker is expected to handle RB3 duties behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell this season. There's a chance Tucker could see some action in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He's an injury away from a substantial role in the Tampa Bay backfield. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Works on side field Wednesday
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 10:21 AM
Egbuka (toe) worked on a side field with trainers Wednesday and ran without any obvious issues from the injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Egbuka has missed a ton of practice time this summer and didn't see any preseason action. However, it sounds like he's nearing 100 percent ahead of the Bucs' Week 1 game against the Bengals in 11 days. Seeing him return to full practices next week would be a positive development. Egbuka is expected to be a big beneficiary of Mike Evans' departure over the offseason, as he'll have a chance to establish himself as the Bucs' clear WR1 ahead of veteran Chris Godwin. |
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Returns to practice
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 6:59 PM
Schrauth (knee) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: The rookie fifth-rounder sprained his knee in early August and was unable to participate in the preseason. The reserve offensive lineman is now back in action and healthy for the regular season. Schrauth is set to be a reserve option at guard in case Ben Bredeson or Luke Goedeke must miss time during the 2026 season. |
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Practices Tuesday
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 6:54 PM
Scott (knee) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Scott suffered a knee injury in last Friday's preseason finale against the Jaguars. The rookie fourth-rounder has recovered from the issue and is all set to suit up for practice. Scott is set to be one of the primary backups for the Buccaneers' secondary throughout the 2026 regular season. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Remains sidelined at practice
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 11:08 AM
McMillan (knee) remains sidelined at Tuesday's practice, PewterReport.com reports.
Analysis: McMillan missed most of training camp with the issue, but there's been optimism about McMillan being available for Week 1 against the Bengals in 12 days. McMillan is expected to fill the third receiver role alongside Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Chris Godwin this season, though rookie Ted Hurst is also likely to see sub-package snaps at the position. McMillan appeared in just four regular-season games last season due to a neck injury. He turned 15 targets into 12 catches for 178 scoreless yards after producing eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Stting out Tuesday's practice
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 10:18 AM
Egbuka (toe) is not practicing Tuesday, per Pewter Report.
Analysis: The second-year wideout is working through a toe injury that has slowed him since mid-August. Coach Todd Bowles said over the weekend that he was "hopeful" Egbuka would be available for Week 1, which is now just under two weeks away. Until Egbuka can return to the practice field, his Week 1 status appears to be in limbo. |
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Reverts to Tampa Bay IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 10:59 PM
Williams (hip) reverted to the Buccaneers' injured reserve list Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: Williams suffered a hip injury in the Buccaneers' preseason finale against the Jaguars last Friday. The safety was waived with an injury designation Sunday and went unclaimed. The 23-year-old will now spend the entirety of his rookie season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. |
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Reverts to IR for Tampa Bay
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 10:57 PM
Williams (undisclosed) reverted to the Buccaneers' injured reserve list Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: The Buccaneers waived/injured Williams on Sunday. The cornerback cleared waivers and will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on IR unless he is waived with an injury settlement. |
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