Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka Day-to-Day with Toe Sprain; Tristan Wirfs Returns

First-round pick Emeka Egbuka is day-to-day following a toe sprain suffered during joint practices with the New York Jets.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles announced Monday that rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is currently "day-to-day, week-to-week" due to a toe sprain. The 2025 first-round draft pick sustained the injury last week during joint practices against the New York Jets. Bowles noted that the team is "not sure at this time" if the ailment will prevent the wideout from participating in the Week 1 regular-season opener.

Egbuka is slated to operate primarily as a Z receiver during the 2026 campaign, where he is expected to see a high volume of targets following Mike Evans' departure to the San Francisco 49ers. The receiving corps faces further attrition as Jalen McMillan has now missed nearly two full weeks of practice. Bowles described McMillan’s status as "day-to-day, week-to-week as well" while he recovers from a knee injury the coach characterized as "banged-up."

Tristan Wirfs Returns to Practice Field

In a positive shift for the offensive line, All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs resumed practicing on Monday. This marked his first session since suffering a hamstring strain during the team’s initial conditioning test at the start of training camp. The coaching staff plans to "ramp him up a little bit" throughout the week to determine his capacity for full participation moving forward.

Defensively, cornerback Benjamin Morrison is showing signs of recovery from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of team periods since the beginning of camp. Morrison, who is competing for one of two starting outside cornerback positions, began positional drills last week and participated in limited activities on Monday. A final determination regarding his availability for Saturday's game will be made this Friday.

Quarterback Depth Chart and Preseason Plans

Starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is scheduled to play in the upcoming second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. This appearance follows a 2024 preseason where Mayfield did not take any snaps. Bowles indicated that he expects all healthy starters to see action during the Saturday contest.

Backup quarterback Jake Browning is currently "doing better" after being sidelined by a back injury sustained during the Jets joint practices. Browning, who is second on the depth chart, did not play in the most recent exhibition game. The team will monitor his progress throughout the week to see if he can return to the field.

Secondary Injuries and Roster Battles

While Morrison progresses, the Buccaneers remain without Zyon McCollum. The cornerback, who served as a starter on the outside last season, is currently sidelined with a groin injury. This leaves the competition for starting roles in the secondary in flux as the preseason schedule continues.

Todd Bowles confirmed these updates on August 17, 2026, as the team prepares for its matchup with Kansas City. The status of Egbuka remains the primary concern for the offense as they transition to a new receiving hierarchy for the 2026 season.