The Bucs got a mixed bag on Wednesday, but the headline is hard to miss: Baker Mayfield was back on the field as a full participant.
Coming off an overtime loss to the Steelers, Tampa Bay suddenly finds itself at the bottom of the NFC South, and the timing couldn’t be better for some reinforcements. The Bucs are heading into two divisional games, and getting Mayfield healthy again would go a long way toward steadying an offense that needs to find its groove.
Mayfield wore a white glove on the affected hand and was seen working through ball-security drills while also throwing plenty during practice. That alone should give Tampa Bay some hope as it tries to reset after Week 6.
There was better news on defense, too, with Antoine Winfield Jr. limited after sitting out Week 5 and Week 6. Winfield is a major piece for Tampa Bay on that side of the ball, and his availability would matter even more with the Bucs set to face Carolina Panthers deep-threat Tetairoa McMillan.
Not everything was trending up, though. Illness swept through the roster, keeping Bucky Irving and Zyon McCollum out of practice on Wednesday.
Calijah Kancey was also dealing with illness and was limited. Riley Dixon and Chase McLaughlin were listed with illness as well, but both were full participants, which suggests the issue may not linger into Week 7.
The biggest setback may be at wide receiver. Emeka Egbuka, who broke out last week with seven catches and a touchdown in the overtime loss, missed practice because of concussion and foot injuries.
That’s a tough blow for an offense that has already struggled to find consistency through the air. If Egbuka can’t clear concussion protocol by the end of the week, Tampa Bay could be back to searching for answers in the passing game.
The offensive line also has a question mark. Right tackle Luke Goedeke sat out Wednesday with a calf injury, and if he can’t go, Justin Skule would be in line to start in his place. The Bucs’ line showed some improvement in Week 6, cutting down from a season-high seven penalties against the Cowboys in Week 5 to just one against Pittsburgh, but losing Goedeke would still be a hit.
There were a few other familiar names on the report. Cody Mauch, Benjamin Morrison, David Sills V, Josiah Trotter and Sean Tucker were full participants.
Christian Rozeboom missed practice with a finger injury. Vita Vea was limited for rest.
For Carolina, Bryce Young was a full participant with a knee issue. A.J. Dillon, Monroe Freeling and Bam Martin-Scott were full, while Chuba Hubbard, Thomas Incoom, Devin Lloyd, Taylor Moton, Jaelan Phillips and Darren Waller were out for rest or injury.
Here’s the full Wednesday injury report for both teams:
Bucs Wednesday Injury Report
Riley Dixon - Illness - Full
Emeka Egbuka - Concussion/Foot - DNP
Luke Goedeke - Calf - DNP
Bucky Irving - Illness - DNP
Calijah Kancey - Illness - Limited
Cody Mauch - Wrist - Full
Baker Mayfield - Right Thumb - Full
Zyon McCollum - Illness - DNP
Chase McLaughlin - Illness - Full
Benjamin Morrison - Quad - Full
Christian Rozeboom - Finger - DNP
David Sills V - Hamstring - Full
Josiah Trotter - Shoulder - Full
Sean Tucker - Quad - Full
Vita Vea - Rest - Limited
Antoine Winfield Jr. - Rib - Limited
Panthers Wednesday Injury Report
A.J. Dillon - Ankle - Full
Monroe Freeling - Knee - Full
Chuba Hubbard - Rest - DNP
Thomas Incoom - Calf - DNP
Devin Lloyd - Rest - DNP
Bam Martin-Scott - Hamstring - Full
Taylor Moton - Rest - DNP
Jaelan Phillips - Hamstring - DNP
Darren Waller - Rest - DNP
Bryce Young - Knee - Full
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