Emeka Egbuka toe sprain puts Buccaneers’ Week 1 status in doubt

Emeka Egbuka’s toe sprain has raised uncertainty over his availability for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season opener, with Week 1 less than a month away. The Nigerian-born receiver sustained the injury during a joint practice with the New York Jets.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has not confirmed whether Egbuka will be ready when Tampa Bay visits the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 13. The team is assessing the injury from day to day and week to week, with no firm timetable given for his return to training.

The Buccaneers are listing the problem as a toe sprain rather than turf toe. Egbuka’s status is being monitored alongside that of fellow receiver Jalen McMillan, while Chris Godwin Jr., McMillan and Egbuka had been named as the team’s starting receivers on the depth chart.

Egbuka made a strong start to his professional career after Tampa Bay selected him 19th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he led the Buccaneers with 63 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns during the 2025 season.

The receiver was born in Tacoma, Washington, on October 14, 2002, and grew up in Steilacoom, where he began playing American football. At Steilacoom High School, he was named Washington Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after recording 83 catches, 1,607 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Egbuka later played for Ohio State and finished as the Buckeyes’ career leader in receptions before entering the NFL. His possible absence would leave Tampa Bay continuing preparations for Cincinnati without clarity over one of its listed starting receivers.