Emeka Egbuka was back on the field for the Buccaneers on Thursday, a welcome sign for a Tampa Bay passing game that badly needs help heading into Sunday night’s matchup with the Bears.
Egbuka, who has missed the last two games because of a foot injury, did not practice on Wednesday. But when Tampa Bay returned to work Thursday at 11:30, he was out there in a helmet and jersey and appeared to be taking part fully in individual drills. That points to a limited designation on Thursday’s practice report.
The timing fits with what Todd Bowles said a day earlier. Asked about Egbuka on Wednesday, the head coach made it clear the team wanted to see how the rookie responded before pushing him further.
"He was out [Wednesday]" Bowles said on Wednesday. "We'll see how he's feeling from running [Wednesday], and we'll try and do more [Thursday] to have a better idea."
Tampa Bay needs that kind of progress. The Buccaneers have leaned on the run to win their last two games, and they’ve only passed 14 times in those contests. That approach may not be enough against a Chicago team that could be one of the league’s best, especially if the Bucs have to open things up through the air.
Egbuka hasn’t quite become the WR1 Tampa Bay hoped for, but he would still give the offense a much-needed lift. The Bucs have thrown for just 64 yards over their last two games, and getting another reliable target back would matter.
For the season, Egbuka has 28 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He also has a rushing touchdown, scored on a reverse against the Dallas Cowboys.
Tampa Bay faces Chicago at 8:20 p.m. Sunday night on Sunday Night Football, and the Buccaneers will be hoping Egbuka is ready to go.
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