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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' injury list looked worrisome entering Week 7 of the NFL season: starting running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and wide receivers Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula), Mike Evans (hamstring) and Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) all didn't practice on Friday.
For the Bucs (and most fantasy football managers), arguably the most concerning absence was Egbuka, who has been the team's most electric newcomer through six weeks.
Up to this point, he had missed practices all week, leaving his availability for Monday's matchup with the Detroit Lions up in the air.
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However, on Saturday, beat reporter Rick Stroud posted video of Egbuka running routes and working with Evans, a development the Buccaneers desperately needed heading into a prime-time clash on "Monday Night Football."
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that Egbuka will be a game-time decision for Monday's matchup against the Lions, stating the rookie wideout wants to play but they're being cautious with the volatility of his hamstring injury.
Egbuka has been one of this season’s most productive receivers, let alone rookies, totaling 27 receptions for 469 yards (fifth in the NFL) and five touchdowns (tied for second) through six games — numbers that have made him one of the early favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Ohio State alum exited the Oct. 12 win over the San Francisco 49ers with a hamstring injury and was officially listed on the team’s injury report during the week, raising expectations that he’d be out for Monday.
His sudden availability would immediately restore a vertical weapon to Todd Bowles’ offense and reduce the load on Tampa Bay’s banged-up receiving corps.
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For quarterback Baker Mayfield, the timing could not be better. Mayfield has enjoyed a career resurgence in Tampa and is one of the favorites for league MVP this year, posting 1,539 passing yards (fourth in the NFL), 12 touchdowns (tied for fourth) and just one interception.
Having Egbuka (a proven deep-route threat and playmaker) back — even in a limited role — preserves the offense’s vertical balance and gives Mayfield another reliable option when defenses try to crowd Evans or key on running back Rachaad White, who will again be the team's lead back Monday with Irving expected to miss.
Ultimately, hamstrings are fickle, and "practicing" isn’t the same as being activated and playing full snaps. We will have to wait for a more definitive confirmation in Sunday’s final injury report, but for now, the Bucs — and Mayfield — have a hopeful development they didn’t expect heading into Monday night.
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