September 26 Updates
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has started all 40 games for the Buccaneers, playoffs included, since arriving in 2023. Head Coach Todd Bowles likes Mayfield's chances of making it 41 in a row this Sunday against the Eagles.
After the team's final practice of the week on Friday, Bowles was asked about the status of three key players on offense: Mayfield, wide receiver Chris Godwin and tackle Tristan Wirfs. His assessment of all three was encouraging.
"All questionable for Sunday [but] trending in the right direction," said Bowles. "We'll see what happens tomorrow with Tristan and Chris. Baker should be okay for Sunday, but he was limited today."
Mayfield was limited in all three of this week's practices due to a right biceps injury sustained in last Sunday's win over the New York Jets. Mayfield did not miss any he snaps in that game but the team has lightened the load in terms of throwing the ball this week. He was not completely shut down from throwing on Wednesday or Thursday but he definitely ramped up his activity on Friday.
"No, he threw it early in the week," said Bowles. "He didn't throw a lot, but he threw it. But he threw the ball more today."
The Buccaneers and Eagles are two of the six remaining undefeated teams in the NFL after Week Three, and the only two that will facing each other in Week Four. The Buccaneers are 3-0 in large part because Mayfield has led the offense to a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation in each game so far.
CLICK HERE for a look at the Buccaneers' injury report, which will be updated with game-status designations later on Friday afternoon.
September 22 Updates
The Buccaneers, who have played their first three games without wideouts Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan – and don't expect McMillan back anytime soon – were treated to an unwelcome sight late in Sunday's 29-27 win over the Jets. Shortly after he had gained a first down on a quick slant on a fourht-quarter scoring drive, top receiver Mike Evans pulled up short on another pass thrown in his direction. Evans limped off the field while holding his left hamstring, then went to the locker room and did not return to the game.
The extent of Evans' hamstring injury is not fully known yet, but the Bucs are hopeful that it won't prove to be a serious injury.
"He's going to get an MRI tomorrow," said Head Coach Todd Bowles on Monday. "Right now we've deemed it as low-grade but we'll see when [the test result] comes out."
The Buccaneers could get Godwin back in action this week as he nears the end of an almost year-long recovery from a serious lower leg injury and subsequent surgeries. Even so, the Buccaneers already banged-up offense will face a higher level of difficulty if it has to operate without the franchise's all-time leading receiver.
"I don't know if you can replace him," said Bowles. "Other guys can do other things and we try to tailor to those types of things, but you can't replace a Mike Evans."
Evans missed three games and most of a fourth last season after sustaining a hamstring injury. He played through a mild strain for part of the season before aggravating it significantly in Week Seven. The Buccaneers do not believe that aggravated injury was the result of insufficient precaution and will be handling Evans' current injury with the usual procedures.
"We proceeded with caution last go-around, so I don't think it's a 'this go-around' type thing," said Bowles. "It's a matter of how he's feeling. If he's feeling well and a hundred percent, he'll play, and if he's not, he won't."
Before his injury, Evans had four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's game. Through three games, he has 14 receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown. His 106 career touchdown catches are the ninth most in NFL history.
CLICK HERE for a full highlight package of Sunday's thrilling win over the Jets.
September 19 Updates
Emeka Egbuka, the Buccaneers' rookie wideout off to a hot start in his NFL career, returned to practice on Friday in what Head Coach Todd Bowles described as a "limited" workout. Egbuka had sat out the Wednesday and Thursday practices due to hip and groin injuries suffered in Monday night's win in Houston.
"He's questionable right now," said Bowles. "We'll see Sunday morning, we've got to see how he's feeling after today."
Bowles said he was pleased with what he saw from Egbuka during a 90-minute field session on Friday morning but emphasized that it was not a full practice for the 2025 first-round pick. Egbuka is tied for the NFL lead with three touchdowns scored through the first two weeks of the season and overall has caught eight passes for 96 yards. Egbuka's 128 offensive snaps played in Weeks One and Two combined are the most by any of the team's receivers.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is in the late stages of his comeback from an ankle dislocation and subsequent surgery last October, will not play against the Jets on Sunday. The Buccaneers other options at receiver are Mike Evans, Sterling Shepard, Ryan Miller, Kam Johnson and Tez Johnson.
CLICK HERE for a look at Tampa Bay's Week Three injury report, which will be updated with game status designations later on Friday afternoon.
September 17 Updates
In order to help players recover during a short week after Monday night's win in Houston, the Buccaneers converted their usual full-speed practice on Wednesday into a lengthy walk-through. However, even with the slowed-down tempo, starting right guard Cody Mauch did not take part in the workout.
"He's got a knee [injury]," said Head Coach Todd Bowles. "We'll see how the week goes but he's a question mark as well."
Mauch managed to play every offensive snap on Monday night despite the knee issue but could be unavailable in Week Three against the Jets, which would compound the lineup shuffling the Bucs have already had to engage in up front. With All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs still not back from his July knee surgery – he practiced in a limited fashion last week and on Wednesday – the Bucs have played second-year center Graham Barton at left tackle and shifted left guard Ben Bredeson to center. Veteran lineman Michael Jordan has been elevated from the practice squad for both games and has manned the left guard spot.
In addition, starting right tackle Luke Goedeke missed much of the last week of practice due to a foot ailment, then aggravated the injury on Monday night and was knocked out of the game after just 12 snaps. Charlie Heck finished the game in his place, and Goedeke did not practice on Wednesday.
During a brief portion of practice open to the media, practice squad lineman Luke Haggard was seen taking snaps at right guard with the first-team line during O-Line warmups, but the practice was closed before any team periods were run. Bowles said the Buccaneers are exploring a number of options at guard, including Haggard, second-year man Elijah Klein and rookie tackle Benjamin Chukwumah.
"We juggled quite a few people around there," he said. "Whether it was Haggard, whether it was Klein or whether it was 'Choo,' we're trying out some different sets just in case something happens Sunday and we've got to play with these guys."
CLICK HERE to hear more of Coach Bowles' thoughts after practice on Wednesday.
September 13 Updates
Luke Goedeke, the Buccaneers' standout right tackle, participated in at least part of the team's morning practice on Saturday after sitting out the Thursday and Friday workouts due to a foot injury. During the portion of practice open to the media, Goedeke joined his teammates in the dynamic warmup and then took part in snaps on air with the rest of the offensive line. It was the Buccaneers' final practice of the week before Monday night's game against the Texans in Houston.
Goedeke suffered the injury during Tampa Bay's season-opening win in Atlanta last Sunday but was able to finish the game without missing an offensive snap. If he is unable to play on Monday, veteran Charlie Heck is likely to step in at right tackle. The Buccaneer are already working with a shuffled offensive line while awaiting the return of All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who returned to practice this week but has been limited. Second-year center Graham Barton shifted out to left tackle in the Atlanta game, with left guard Ben Bredeson taking over at center and Michael Jordan, a practice squad elevation, playing left guard.
Goedeke missed four games early last season due to a concussion. He played all 17 contests in 2023 after shifting from his rookie position of left guard to right tackle, the position he played in college at Central Michigan. The Buccaneers signed Goedeke to a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2029 season shortly before the start of this year's campaign.
CLICK HERE for a look at the Buccaneers' injury reports this week, with game status designations to be added later on Saturday afternoon.
September 11 Updates
Two key members of the Buccaneers' offense took important steps in their recovery from injuries on Thursday, as both wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs took the practice field with their teammates as preparations began for Monday night's game in Houston.
Godwin was a practice participant for the first time since he suffered a serious lower leg injury that included an ankle dislocation in Week Seven of last season. Wirfs was involved for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in July. Neither was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the season, meaning they were eligible to begin practicing at any time and could potentially return to game action soon.
During the 25 minutes of practice that was open to the media, Godwin and Wirfs both participated in the dynamic warmup that started the workout off. After that, Godwin worked on his own while the majority of the team ran special teams reps, while Wirfs took part in snaps on air with the other offensive linemen. The first injury report of the week will not be released until later on Thursday afternoon, but it is likely both players will be listed as limited, and they are not necessarily on track to play this coming Monday.
At the time of his injury last season, Godwin was in the midst of what could have been his best season yet, as he was leading the NFL in receptions and receiving first downs, was tied for first in touchdown receptions and was second in receiving yards and yards after the catch. He missed the remainder of the season following his injury near the end of the Buccaneers' Week Seven loss to Baltimore. Wirfs played throughout the 2024 season, missing just one game, and was named a first-team Associated Press All-Pro. That made him the first player in NFL history to earn first-team All-Pro honors at both left and right tackle.
With both Godwin and second-year man Jalen McMillan sidelined to start the season, the Buccaneers started rookie Emeka Egbuka opposite Mike Evans in Week One and primarily utilized Sterling Shepard as the third receiver. Ebguka caught two touchdown passes in his NFL debut. With Wirfs out, the Bucs moved second-year center Graham Barton to left tackle, slid left guard Ben Bredeson to center and inserted Michael Jordan, who had been elevated from the practice squad into left guard.
CLICK HERE for a detailed preview of the Buccaneers' upcoming game in Houston.
September 5 Updates
The Buccaneers will be without their top offensive lineman on Sunday when the 2025 regular season begins in Atlanta, and there is a question mark on the other side of the trenches, as well. Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a foot injury but was able to return to the field on Friday.
Head Coach Todd Bowles liked what he saw.
"He had a good practice," said Bowles. "Right now, it's looking promising. He's trending the right way."
There are no injury reports during the preseason but Vea did not appear to be limited at any point during training camp. But he was absent when the Bucs held a bonus practice on Monday and his injury appears to be a recent occurrence.
"It's something he woke up with," said Bowles. "Just sore."
Vea finished second on the team with 7.0 sacks in 2024 and was one of the key figures in the NFL's fourth-ranked run defense. The Bucs are eager to have him in the mix against a Falcons rushing attack that averaged 130.5 yards per game last season.
CLICK HERE for a look at the Buccaneers' injury report, which will be updated with game status designations on Friday afternoon.
September 4 Updates
The rapid rise of first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka has gained national attention, particularly since injuries to Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan have elevated him immediately to the starting lineup, but he's not the only Buccaneers rookie who will have a major role when the regular season begins on Sunday.
Third-round cornerback Jacob Parrish appears to have won the Bucs slot corner assignment. It's a job that is not officially listed as a starter on the depth chart but is essentially the equivalent of one. Last year, the Buccaneers had a nickel grouping on the field for 63.8% of their defensive snaps, by far the most common alignment. That means Parrish is going to be heavily involved in slowing down a talented Atlanta offense fronted by Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. That game – and Parrish's true NFL debut – is now just three days away.
"I'm just very excited, you know," said Parrish. "I'm just going to go out there, try and make some plays and get the 'dub.' I wouldn't say I'm nervous. I've been preparing for this my whole life, going out there practicing, trying to set a good tempo. Like I said, I'm excited to go out there and show what I can do."
Parrish has shown a veteran's calmness and confidence since he first walked through the doors of Bucs' headquarters, and his quick absorption of Head Coach Todd Bowles' complicated schemes helped him nail down that significant role on defense right out of the gate. He says his calmness comes from knowing he has done what is necessary to be ready.
"Just preparation, what I do on an every-days basis," said Parrish. "Going out there, watching extra film, doing extra work so when Sunday comes I can go out there and play fast. Definitely [knowing] the playbook, just knowing what everyone around me is doing, where my help's at, and just being a better communicator."
While Parrish's primary role may initially be in the slot, Bowles has said that Parrish is already a starting-caliber outside cornerback in the NFL, as well. The Bucs have worked him at both spots, giving Bowles flexibility to present different looks. For instance, if the coaches wanted to let larger corner Zyon McCollum travel with London when the Falcons' top receiver goes into the slot, they could move Parrish to the outside on those plays.
"We've kind of worked him inside and outside," said defensive Pass Game Coordinator George Edwards. "I mean he's a good chess piece to kind of match up. So, we're excited about taking his skill set the same way and kind of like you talked about with Haason [Reddick], being able to use it throughout the course of the year and move him around to different positions…whether it's pressuring the ball, whether it's pressuring the quarterback, whatever we come up with, being able to use his skill set to benefit not only us defensively, but the guys around him also."
CLICK HERE to find full interviews with Parrish, Edwards and others on Thursday.
September 1 Updates
Thomas McGaughey is going into his 12th consecutive season as a special teams coordinator in the NFL, having previously held that role with the Jets, 49ers, Panthers and Giants before joining the Buccaneers last year. He hasn't been this excited about the assets at his disposal in almost a decade.
It has often been noted that special teams coaches have the most complicated job of any assistant on an NFL staff because, rather than working with one specific position group, they have to tutor almost every player on the 53-man roster. However, while they do get to work with dozens of different players, they don't always get to choose who those players are going to be. In this year's roster reduction to 53, a task completed last Tuesday, the Buccaneers clearly did take special teams impact into serious consideration at several spots.
Last week, Head Coach Todd Bowles identified linebacker John Bullock, outside linebacker Markees Watts and wide receiver Ryan Miller as players who specifically made the team due to their special teams prowess. It's likely that at least had something to do with Ko Kieft, Kameron Johnson, Kindle Vildor, Rashad Wisdom and Josh Williams sticking around, as well. With the adjusted kickoff rules making touchbacks much less desirable for the kicking team, coaches expect to need strong cover men more than ever, and are adjusting accordingly.
"We have a lot of guys, it is exciting," said McGaughey of the team's candidates for coverage units. "We have a guy at each position -- maybe two -- that is going to be there. It is going to be a really, really good group. Anywhere from eight-to-10 guys [are] solid. That is the first time I have been around that in a long time -- probably since I was in Carolina in 2016. I am excited about the group."
Bullock, an undrafted free agent this spring and former walk-on at Nebraska, probably made the steepest climb thanks to his work on coverage units. A couple days after he recorded three special teams tackles in the preseason finale against Buffalo, he was approached in the Bucs' training room by Bowles and Inside Linebackers Coach Mike Caldwell that he had secured his spot on the team. That certainly made McGaughey happy, as well.
"'Bully' did a great job," said McGaughey. "He had production. We talk about these guys, and it is like, 'look, everybody is going to get opportunities. It is what you do with your opportunity.' 'Bully' did a great job of making plays and preparing and [in] practice and the meetings. Everything that he did daily set him up for him to make this football team."
As much as the Bucs want to limit long returns, they would also like to see their return units make some big plays. Tampa Bay is the only team in the NFL that hasn't had a punt or kickoff return for a touchdown since 2010. In the preseason, Kam Johnson, Tez Johnson and Williams all had returns of 37 yards or longer.
"[An] explosive playmaker, that is all we are looking for -- somebody who can make good decisions and make explosive plays," said McGaughey. "[Our] guys have done a really good job of just putting themselves in the position to make plays. We will see what happens, it is a very fluid situation right now, but we have a lot of good candidates."
CLICK HERE to hear more of McGaughey's thoughts about the Bucs' special teams.
