By Buccaneers Injuries Will Shape Saturday’s Preseason Test Against Chiefs
TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will get their first extended look at several starters Saturday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. But injuries are already changing what Tampa Bay can accomplish in its second preseason game.
The Buccaneers enter Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. game at Raymond James Stadium coming off a 24-16 victory over the New York Jets.
Head coach Todd Bowles has confirmed that Baker Mayfield will play after sitting out the opener, but exactly what the offense around him will look like remains a question mark.
The biggest concern is at wide receiver.
Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan Remain Sidelined
Emeka Egbuka is dealing with a toe injury, while Jalen McMillan has been sidelined with a knee injury.
Neither practiced Monday, and Bowles described both as day-to-day, although Egbuka was also characterized as week-to-week.
Asked whether Egbuka’s injury could affect his availability for the beginning of the regular season, Bowles said he was “not sure at this time.”
That makes Saturday very important for the rest of the receiver room.
Chris Godwin gives Mayfield an established veteran target, but players such as Tez Johnson, Ted Hurst III, Dean Patterson and Eric Rivers Jr. should have additional opportunities.
Patterson helped himself against New York, leading Tampa Bay with five receptions, including a key third-down catch on the Buccaneers’ final touchdown drive.
For the Buccaneers, Saturday isn’t about finding enough receivers to get through a preseason game.
It’s going to go a long way in determining which young wideouts can be trusted if Egbuka or McMillan isn’t available when the games begin to count.
Tristan Wirfs Takes an Important Step
There was much better news regarding Tristan Wirfs.
The All-Pro left tackle returned to practice Monday for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury during the conditioning test at the beginning of training camp.
Wirfs participated in individual drills as Tampa Bay begins gradually increasing his workload.
“It’s time to ramp him up a little bit and see how much he can go through this week,” Bowles said.
There is little reason for the Buccaneers to rush Wirfs into Saturday’s game. The real target is having him healthy for the regular-season opener.
Tampa Bay’s offensive line was ravaged by injuries in 2025, and the Bucs hope to reunite the starting five of Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke.
That group did not play a single snap together last season.
Protecting Mayfield will be very important Saturday.
With Mayfield expected to play only a limited number of snaps, the Buccaneers want productive work from their starting offense without exposing their franchise quarterback.
Jake Browning’s Return Changes the QB Rotation
Another encouraging development is the return of backup quarterback Jake Browning, who missed the Jets game with a back injury.
Browning returned to practice Monday and could make his Buccaneers debut against Kansas City.
“He’s doing better,” Bowles said. “We’ll see how his week goes.”
His availability would affect one of the most interesting roster battles of the preseason.
With Browning unavailable against New York, Connor Bazelak started before rookie Jalon Daniels took over.
Daniels helped lead two second-half touchdown drives and scored on a one-yard run.
If Browning plays Saturday, there will be fewer snaps available for Bazelak and Daniels.
That will increase the pressure on both young quarterbacks to make the most of whatever opportunities they receive.
Benjamin Morrison Could Finally Get Game Action
The secondary is another area worth watching.
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison, whose leg injuries have slowed him since the offseason program, participated in 11-on-11 work Monday for the first time this summer.
When asked about playing on Saturday Night, Bowles said, “He’s progressing. He did some things today, so we’ll look to see how he develops during the week. We’ll see how he progresses, and we’ll make that determination on Friday.”
Morrison’s absence has created opportunities for other cornerbacks, and nobody took greater advantage against the Jets than Ayden Garnes.
The undrafted rookie returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown and continues to strengthen his argument for a roster spot. With uncertainty surrounding the health of Tampa Bay’s cornerbacks, Garnes’ emergence has become increasingly important.
Saturday Is About More Than Winning
The Buccaneers would certainly like to improve to 2-0 in the preseason, but Saturday’s game against Kansas City has a much larger purpose.
It is another opportunity for Bowles to evaluate the starters. He also needs answers from a roster dealing with injuries at several important positions.
Egbuka and McMillan’s absence creates opportunities at receiver.
Morrison’s slow return has opened the door at cornerback.
Browning’s improving health reshapes the quarterback rotation.
And Wirfs’ return to practice offers hope that one of the NFL’s best left tackles is moving closer to being ready.
The challenge for the Buccaneers is balancing preparation with not putting guys at risk for injuries.
Saturday night will give the Buccaneers a chance to get their starters some work, evaluate players fighting for the final roster spots and test their depth against Kansas City.
But with the regular-season opener still several weeks away, the most important result may have nothing to do with the scoreboard.
It’s getting through the night healthy.
