TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are battling a mounting injury crisis, particularly within their wide receiver ranks, as they prepare for a matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
As reported by Rock Riley from the Tampa Free Press at One Buc Place, the situation is dire but not without a silver lining as the team’s young talent prepares to shoulder a heavier load.
The Buccaneers’ receiving corps has been hit hard, leaving veterans and rookies alike scrambling to fill the void. Star wideout Mike Evans is sidelined, requiring surgery on his clavicle. Fellow top receiver Chris Godwin is also not ready to play, and rookie Jalen McMillan remains hampered, wearing a brace around his neck.
The absence of these key players means the pressure now falls on veteran Sterling Shepard to lead the unit.
Despite the substantial losses, the locker room appears confident in the next man up. Attention has turned to the burgeoning rookie class, specifically the “rookie sensation” Emeka Egbuka and fellow rookie Tez Johnson.
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Johnson, in particular, has been making a strong case for increased playing time, with Riley noting that “no moment is too big” for the young receiver.
“You (have) to always be prepared,” Johnson said. “You never know when your number is being called, you never know what is going to happen in this game.”
Johnson is referring to last Monday Night, when Evans left the game against the Lions with a broken clavicle and concussion. The 7th round pick out of Oregon scored on a 22-yard run off a screen pass from Mayfield. Johnson said it was a teammate who gave him some advice before that touchdown that helped him.
“My confidence is getting up a little bit,” Johnson said. “Allowing guys like Garrett Greene to just come up to me on the sideline and be like, ‘One mistake, do not let it waterfall, just go out there and be the best that you can.”
Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard has seen Johnson come a long way since training camp.
“It’s great to see because he just continues to improve each week,” Grizzard said. “He’s electric with the balls in his hands. He comes out here and brings energy, and he’s deserving of the ball.”
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, despite being “banged up,” is ready to lead the charge. The quarterback acknowledged an “off” performance, simply stating, “it happens,” before reaffirming his readiness for the upcoming game.
Further complicating the offensive picture is the absence of running back Bucky Irving. However, as Riley emphasized, the prevailing sentiment within the organization is that external opinions about their injury situation are irrelevant.
“Nobody outside of this building cares about the Buccaneer injuries,” Riley noted.
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