Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka Ruled Out vs. Falcons With Foot Injury
Egbuka cleared the concussion protocol but will miss a second straight game, while Antoine Winfield Jr. is full-go to return Sunday
The Buccaneers will be without Emeka Egbuka for a second straight week. Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that the second-year receiver will miss Sunday's NFC South game against the Falcons, even though he has cleared the concussion protocol.
The foot is the problem now. Egbuka practiced in a non-contact jersey Wednesday, moved to a regular jersey Thursday and was limited all week, but he wasn't on the field Friday and the foot injury kept him out.
Todd Bowles says Emeka Egbuka has cleared concussion protocol but will miss Sunday due to his foot injury. Antoine Winfield is full-go to return after missing three games. Goedeke is possible to return but they'll decide in pregame.View on X →
Greg Auman (@gregauman): Todd Bowles says Emeka Egbuka has cleared concussion protocol but will miss Sunday due to his foot injury. Antoine Winfield is full-go to return after missing three games. Goedeke is possible to return but they'll decide in pregame.
It's another week without one of Tampa Bay's main targets. Egbuka has 28 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns in six games, plus a rushing score in the Week 5 win at Dallas. He was inactive for last week's game against Carolina, the same day Baker Mayfield returned from his dislocated throwing thumb. The receiver room is thin beyond him, with Jalen McMillan still not back at practice. Bowles said this week he doesn't know how far off McMillan is from returning.
The rest of Friday's news was better. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is full-go after returning to practice this week and will play for the first time since missing three games with a rib injury. Right tackle Luke Goedeke (calf), who didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, worked Friday and could return, with the team deciding in pregame.
Tampa Bay managed fine without him last week, routing the Panthers 43-13 for its second win, but the Bucs are still 2-5. The 3-4 Falcons come to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.