Emeka Egbuka injury update: Buccaneers give troubling news on star WR

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1) have announced that wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is doubtful to return to Sunday’s Week 6 home game against the San Francisco 49ers (4-1). Egbuka is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Egbuka, Tampa Bay’s 2025 first round selection out of Ohio State, had two catches for 24 yards in the first half before exiting the game. The Buccaneers entered the game without their star wideout duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Now, they’re down their standout rookie pass-catcher in Egbuka.

Egbuka’s start to his NFL career has been nothing short of historic. Last Sunday, he became the first player in league history with 25 plus receptions, 400 plus receiving yards and five plus receiving touchdowns through his first five career games.

“Right now, we do not even consider him a rookie,” head coach Todd Bowles said last month of Egbuka. “He has been doing it so much at practice and the details of his work that we kind of expect it from him in the building and I think outside everybody is kind of seeing it for the first time, but it is a little early for Rookie of the Year-type things. If he can do that for 16, 17 weeks we will be happy.”

Buccaneers go down another top wideout in Emeka Egbuka

Tampa Bay is looking to get to 5-1 for just the sixth time in franchise history. Short of their top three receivers, plus running back Bucky Irving, the Buccaneers need contributions from running back Rachaad White, tight end Cade Otton, and receivers Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson, and Tez Johnson.

The latter made an impact shortly after Egbuka was announced as doubtful. He hauled in a 45-yard touchdown from quarterback Baker Mayfield to give the Buccaneers a 27-19 lead in the third quarter.