Emeka Egbuka returned to practice on Friday after missing midweek sessions with hip and groin tightness. The Buccaneers welcomed encouraging offensive news with Egbuka’s return to practice this week. His return offers quarterback Baker Mayfield a key option as Tampa Bay prepares for its next test.  

Emeka Egbuka had been listed on the injury report as “did not practice” on Wednesday and Thursday, raising questions about his availability. His return indicates a positive trend and makes him a candidate to suit up this weekend. The timing is critical for the Buccaneers, who have leaned on depth in their receiving corps during the season’s opening stretch.

Egbuka’s absence or limitation could narrow the Buccaneers’ receiving options. Chris Godwin is still working back from injury, so Emeka Egbuka’s health is especially important for maintaining offensive flexibility. His impact in the game can lead to an increase in quick routes, slants, screens, and more run plays to relieve pressure or take stress off the passing game.

Mayfield’s status draws equal attention. He has managed a toe and foot injury since Week 2, but reportedly, he logged a full practice on Friday. That workload suggests the quarterback will be ready to go, though the staff will probably continue monitoring him closely. After his third-and-10 scramble against the Houston Texans, in which Mayfield got caught by defensive end Will Anderson Jr., he immediately clutched his left leg, then sprang up and started jawing with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Initially, it looked like Mayfield could have been seriously hurt, but he continued playing and led the team to a 20-19 victory. “It’s Week 3 in the NFL. I feel great,” Mayfield said despite taking several hits. While recovering from a Mayfield fumble during the game, Tampa Bay running back Rachaad White took a particularly harsh hit. With nine seconds remaining, White ran in a 2-yard touchdown to win the game after returning for the next series.

“You look at that play, he took a nasty shot trying to dive on the ball. Obviously, a huge, huge play for us being able to punt it. But yeah, it’s guys laying their bodies on the line,” Mayfield added.  

“Everything we practiced, everything we’ve talked about, and everything we’ve done about finishing a ball game. They did a heck of a job finishing,” head coach Todd Bowles stated. With Emeka Egbuka returning to the lineup and Mayfield trending healthy, Tampa Bay’s offense enters the weekend with a clearer outlook. Protection may suffer due to offensive line injuries, forcing quicker decisions from Mayfield.  

Bucs brace for Jets in early-season test at Raymond James

The Buccaneers host the Jets in Week 3, a matchup heavier than the standings show. Tampa Bay sits unbeaten, but the offense has yet to find a consistent rhythm, while the Jets arrive still searching for their first win of the season.

“That’s a problem that we’ve got to try to solve. We’re looking more ahead for that as opposed to just being happy being 2-0. It’s a long season. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ve got a lot of things to get better at. We haven’t been 3-0. So, that’s a big challenge for us this week as opposed to sitting there and saying we’re 2-0 and being happy and then getting our (tails) kicked on Sunday,” Bowles said

The focus will be on how Baker Mayfield handles a New York defense built to disrupt quarterbacks. The Jets’ secondary, led by Sauce Gardner, can force tight-window throws, which makes timing and decision-making paramount. Mayfield, who has logged steady numbers through two weeks, will need to be efficient against a unit that thrives on capitalizing on mistakes.

New York, meanwhile, turns to veteran Tyrod Taylor after Justin Fields entered concussion protocol. Taylor’s mobility offers the Jets a different look, but his experience is what steadies their offense. Taylor has a passer rating of 124.4 and a completion percentage of 72.7%. He has a career record of 28-28-1, winning exactly 50% of his games.

With Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall anchoring the skill positions, the Jets still bring explosiveness that could stretch Tampa Bay’s defensive scheme. For the Buccaneers, protecting home turf means imposing structure before the Jets find rhythm.