Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie star receiver Emeka Egbuka exited Sunday’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a hamstring injury in the second quarter of their 30-19 victory.
The Buccaneers (5-1) announced he was doubtful to return during the third quarter and ruled him out early in the fourth quarter. Egbuka, a first-round pick from Ohio State, had two catches for 24 yards before exiting.
“Right now, it is a hamstring,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said after the game. “(We are) still evaluating it.”
Egbuka has been an immediate force and was the first player in NFL history with 25 catches, 400 yards (he entered Sunday with 445) and five touchdowns in his first five career games.
The injury was another blow to a Tampa Bay receiving unit missing stars Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) as well as second-year player Jalen McMillan, who sustained a neck injury in a preseason contest and has not played this season.
Kameron Johnson (four receptions) and Tez Johnson (one) each caught a touchdown pass on Sunday, and veteran Sterling Shepard made two catches for 41 yards.
“Studs — it’s probably surprising to the outside eye, but we practice with these guys every day,” Bucs center Graham Barton said. “You see Tez and you see ‘Shep’ and you see Kam Johnson, and his ability and his talent. So, when they come in, it’s cool to watch them get to show that in front of the national stage.”
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs said it’s “awesome to watch” Kameron Johnson, a second-year receiver, and Tez Johnson, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft.
“Emeka being a rookie has stepped up big time, (then) he went down,” said Wirfs, a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection. “Tez Johnson, Kam Johnson — it is awesome to watch. Those guys have some big shoes to fill with Mike (Evans) and Chris (Godwin) out right now, but they are coming in and making plays and that is all we can ask of them, to do their job to the best of their ability. You know, it is fun to watch. We are going to keep needing that down the stretch.”
–Field Level Media
