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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Won't play in final exhibition
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 8:53 AM
Mayfield won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Buffalo, WDAE Radio's Rock Riley reports.
Analysis: The Buccaneers used some starters in their second preseason game, but Mayfield wasn't one of them. They'll start Kyle Trask at QB this Saturday, followed by Teddy Bridgewater, allowing the two to continue their competition for the backup QB job. Mayfield, meanwhile, will be on the sideline to keep him healthy ahead of a Week 1 game at Atlanta. The Buccaneers may not have WR Chris Godwin (ankle), WR Jalen McMillan (neck) or LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) available for the contest, but they seem confident in first-round pick Emeka Egbuka stepping up to replace Godwin/McMillan, at least. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Moving up depth chart
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 1:23 PM
Egubka's teammate Jalen McMillan (neck) is expected to miss a large portion of the upcoming season, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Chris Godwin, meanwhile, remains on the PUP list, yet to practice since suffering an ankle dislocation and ligament damage last October. With Godwin uncertain for Week 1 and McMillan presumably out, Egbuka may step right in as Tampa Bay's No. 2 receiver alongside Mike Evans. The 19th overall pick has taken plenty of first-team reps this summer, including during Saturday's 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan To start year on IR
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 12:57 PM
The Buccaneers are expected to place McMillan (neck) on injured reserve after finalizing the 53-man roster, which will force him to miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said that McMillan is dealing with a "severely sprained neck" suffered during Saturday's preseason win over Pittsburgh, and Stroud reports that his recovery timetable could stretch beyond the team's Week 9 bye. With Chris Godwin (ankle), who remains on the active/PUP list, still up-in-the-air for Week 1 and a candidate to miss early-season time, six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans and rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka appear primed to open the regular season as quarterback Baker Mayfield's unquestioned top two receivers, while TE Cade Otton stands to also benefit from an uptick in target volume. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan To miss start of season
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 10:05 AM
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that McMillan has a severe neck strain and "is going to miss some time", Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Bowles added that McMillan's injury isn't expected to be career-threatening, per Stroud. That's welcome news after the wideout was undercut by a Steelers defender during Saturday's preseason game and landed hard on his neck and head. It remains to be seen whether the Buccaneers will place McMillan on IR when the 53-man roster is finalized, which would force him to sit out at least the first four weeks of the regular season. With Chris Godwin (ankle) still on the active/PUP list and also iffy for the start of the campaign, Mike Evans, rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka and tight end Cade Otton are likely to be Baker Mayfield's top downfield options in Week 1 against the Falcons, and possibly beyond. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Sidelined at practice
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 8:55 AM
McMillan (back/neck) is not participating in practice Tuesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: McMillan is present at Tuesday's practice, but he's watching from the sidelines while still wearing a neck brace, Mark Skol of Fox 13 News reports. The second-year pro is working his way back from an injury suffered due to a rough landing during last Saturday's preseason win over Pittsburgh, when he was undercut by a defender while making a leaping catch. He's likely to sit out Tampa Bay's preseason finale against Buffalo on Saturday, Aug. 23. |
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Sterling Shepard Sterling Shepard Pacers air attack in win
Sun, Aug 17, 2025, 9:08 PM
Shepard brought in all three targets for 47 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers on Saturday night.
Analysis: Shepard led the Buccaneers in receiving yards on a night when Mike Evans once again rested and Jalen McMillan exited with neck and head injuries. The veteran opened the game with the first-team offense, recording a seven-yard grab on the opening drive from Teddy Bridgewater and subsequently adding 13- and 27-yard catches on Tampa Bay's third possession. Shepard's surprisingly serviceable showing during the 2024 regular season (32-334-1 across 14 games) and a working relationship with Baker Mayfield that dates back to college should give him a solid path to a roster spot again, and his performance Saturday certainly didn't hurt his chances. |
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Tez Johnson Tez Johnson Busy night in preseason win
Sun, Aug 17, 2025, 9:02 PM
Johnson brought in four of seven targets for 24 yards and returned two punts for 37 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers on Saturday night. He also lost a fumble.
Analysis: After missing the preseason opener against the Titans due to a leg injury, Johnson put in a full week of practice leading up to his professional debut. The shifty rookie seventh-round pick drew his first target with 3:51 remaining in the first half and made his first catch, an eight-yarder, at the 46-second mark of the second quarter. Johnson played with both Kyle Trask and Connor Bazelak as his quarterbacks, and he logged a position-high 39 snaps (59 percent) from scrimmage. Johnson's contributions on his pair of punt returns was particularly noteworthy, considering his special-teams work is likely to afford him perhaps his best path to a roster spot in a deep wide receiver room. |
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Kyle Trask Kyle Trask Poor showing in second exhibition
Sun, Aug 17, 2025, 8:24 PM
Trask completed three of 10 passes for 19 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers on Saturday night. He also rushed once for four yards.
Analysis: Trask entered the game after starter Teddy Bridgewater, who he's trying to hold off for the No. 2 quarterback job. While Bridgewater looked impressive -- especially for a player who signed about halfway through training camp -- and led the Buccaneers to two touchdowns, Trask's performance over his four possessions was essentially the opposite. Tampa Bay's offense netted all of 44 yards across the quartet of drives, with each culminating in punts. Trask did put together a much better performance in the preseason opener against the Titans, when he completed 12 of 16 passes for 129 yards; however, the fact Bridgewater has proven a quick study in coordinator Josh Grizzard's offense presumably narrows the gap between both players considerably, and Saturday night's preseason finale against the Bills could serve as the platform for each to cement their fate come roster cutdowns. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Makes most of one catch
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 10:05 PM
Egbuka recorded one catch on two targets for five yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers.
Analysis: Egbuka was on the field for the first three drives for Tampa Bay and made his impact on the final possession. His lone catch was an impressive grab in the corner of the end zone that he made around Brandin Echols in coverage. Egbuka has gotten strong reviews in training camp and has made an impact in both preseason contests, leaving him in a strong position to make an early impact in his rookie season -- particularly if Chris Godwin (PUP-ankle) is sidelined to open the campaign. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Makes preseason debut
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 9:58 PM
Irving rushed the ball eight times for 12 yards in Saturday's 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers. He added one catch on two targets for 15 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Both Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans were on the sidelines for rest, but Irving was one of the few established starting skill-position players to take the field for Tampa Bay. He played three offensive drives and was used heavily on the ground with little effect, though he showcased his pass-catching ability with a nice contested catch in the end zone over Payton Wilson to cap the first offensive possession. Irving established himself as a strong pass catcher as a rookie, but this was still an encouraging preseason debut overall. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Dons neck brace
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 9:33 PM
McMillan (back) was spotted wearing a neck brace after Saturday's 17-14 preseason win at Pittsburgh, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: At the end of his 18-yard leaping catch in the first quarter, McMillan was undercut by a Steelers defender and landed hard on his neck and head region. He was able to walk to the sideline under his own power before being ruled out due to a back issue, while also being evaluated for a concussion. It's unclear if McMillan has been diagnosed with a head injury, but it seems likely that he'll miss some time with just one preseason game to go (Saturday, Aug. 23 against the Bills) ahead of Week 1. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Has possible concussion
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:37 PM
McMillan won't return to Saturday's preseason game at Pittsburgh due to a back injury and also is under evaluation for a concussion, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: McMillan was undercut while making a leaping grab in the first quarter and landed hard on his neck and helmet. While he remained on the turf for a spell, he was able to walk off the field under his own power before being ruled out. If a concussion is confirmed, McMillan will be subject to the protocol for head injuries in order to practice and eventually see game action again. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Won't play after all Saturday
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 7:48 PM
Coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Mayfield won't suit up for Saturday's preseason game at Pittsburgh, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Bowles changed his tune from comments he made following Thursday's joint practice with the Steelers, when he told Stroud that every Buccaneers starter on offense except for WR Mike Evans would play. The new reality was keyed by Bowles watching tape of the session and now will leave Kyle Trask to direct the first-teamers to begin Saturday's contest. Beyond Trask, veteran Teddy Bridgewater and undrafted rookie Connor Bazelak will handle any QB reps that don't go to Trask. Mayfield has just more chance for exhibition action ahead of a Week 1 road matchup with the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 7. |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Sitting out another preseason game
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 3:57 PM
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Evans will not join the rest of the starting offense in suiting up for Saturday's preseason game against the Steelers, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Evans remains healthy, by all accounts, but Tampa Bay will opt to rest the veteran wideout for a second consecutive preseason contest. It remains to be seen whether Evans will be in consideration to suit up for the Buccaneers' preseason finale against Buffalo on Saturday, Aug. 23, a game that will occur just days after his 32nd birthday. Chris Godwin (ankle) remains on the active/PUP list, but Baker Mayfield will have the benefit of calling upon both rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and second-year pro Jalen McMillan versus Pittsburgh on Saturday. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Starting Saturday vs. Steelers
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 3:51 PM
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Mayfield and every starter on offense aside from Mike Evans will play in Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Mayfield will be without not only Evans, who will rest Saturday, but also Chris Godwin (ankle), who remains on the active/PUP list without a clear timetable to return as he works his way back from surgery undergone to address a dislocated left ankle. Tampa Bay's impressive pass-catching depth will still leave Mayfield with Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan at his disposal Saturday, however, with TE Cade Otton (hamstring) also potentially ready to return to action. |
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Michael Pratt Michael Pratt Placed on PUP list
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 6:23 PM
Pratt (back) was placed on the reserve/PUP list by the Buccaneers on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Pratt entered training camp on the active/PUP list with a back issue, and he will now be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of action after failing a physical this week. Once healthy, the quarterback will likely operate as a member of the Buccaneers' practice squad in 2025. |
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Teddy Bridgewater Teddy Bridgewater May play second preseason game
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 3:39 PM
Bridgewater was featured more prominently in Wednesday's quarterback rotation, and how he performs in a joint practice with the Steelers on Thursday will determine whether he plays in Saturday's preseason contest, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The veteran signal-caller didn't play in the preseason opener against the Titans on Saturday after just having signed a contract earlier in the week. Bridgewater has been gradually getting acclimated to coordinator Josh Grizzard's offense, and he impressed head coach Todd Bowles in Wednesday's session with his increasing grasp of the system. When asked about Bridgewater's potential participation in Saturday's second preseason game against the Steelers, Bowles stated he wanted "to see how much work he can get in" in reference to Thursday's joint practice before making a decision. |
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Jase McClellan Jase McClellan Headed to Tampa Bay
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 6:46 PM
The Buccaneers signed McClellan to a contract Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The 2024 sixth-rounder played in just two regular-season games with the Falcons during his rookie campaign and ended the year on injured reserve due to a knee injury. McClellan was waived by Atlanta in June, but he will get an opportunity to make an NFL roster with the Buccaneers. He'll have a shot at seeing some backup reps out of the backfield due to Rachaad White (groin) being sidelined. |
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Tez Johnson Tez Johnson Returns to practice
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 4:15 PM
Johnson (leg) participated in Monday's training camp practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Johnson has been held out of practice and missed the Buccaneers' preseason win over the Titans on Saturday due to a leg injury. His return to practice is timely, as the rookie seventh-rounder is competing for a spot on the Bucs' 53-man roster as a depth wide receiver and return option on kickoffs and punts. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton Returns to practice
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 10:01 AM
Otton (hamstring) is participating in practice Monday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Otton has missed roughly two weeks of practice, plus Tampa Bay's preseason opener against Tennessee on Aug. 9, due to a lingering hamstring injury, so it's encouraging to see him back on the practice field. It remains to be seen whether Otton is limited or practicing in full, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Buccaneers opt to ramp up the starting TE's activity level in his return to the field. Otton's next opportunity to suit up for preseason reps will arrive Saturday versus the Steelers. |
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