Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka posted 2-15-0 in the loss to the Saints. Egbuka led the team with 10 targets with Chris Godwin coming in second with 7 targets. Godwin now has led the team in receiving for the second straight week going 5-55-0. QB Baker Mayfield’s inaccurate passes toward Egbuka didn’t help with the output. With WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan set to return soon, targets may be spread even thinner.

Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) won't play vs. the Saints this weekend, HC Todd Bowles said Friday. Both WRs returned to practice this week and should have a chance to play vs. the Falcons next weekend. Evans is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues. But Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin will again operate as Tampa Bay's top two WRs against New Orleans on Sunday.

Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) will be designated to return from IR and practice on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Evans has been out since breaking his collarbone in Week 7; McMillan since a mid-August neck injury. It's still unclear whether either guy will be ready to play vs. the Saints on Sunday, but we'd at least expect them back by Week 15.

Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (neck) is expected to resume practicing as soon as this week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. McMillan has been out since fracturing three vertebrae in his neck in a preseason game on August 16. He turned in a promising rookie season, catching 37 balls for 461 yards and eight TDs. McMillan's return to game action is still probably multiple weeks away, though. And he'll be joining a crowded WR corps that could also get Mike Evans back soon. We wouldn't bother adding McMillan to redraft rosters right now, although his return could be a boost for QB Baker Mayfield down the stretch.

Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan is expected to miss the start of the season after suffering a "severely strained neck" in the second preseason game, according to HC Todd Bowles. Bowles added that the injury "shouldn't be" career threatening. We'll look for a more concrete timeline for McMillan's return.

Update: McMillan will be placed on IR and "could be out past the Bucs Week 9 bye week," according to The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.

Pewter Report's Scott Reynolds writes that he'd be "shocked" if WR Chris Godwin (ankle) avoided the PUP list to start the season. That'd cost him the first four games. This is more of an educated guess than a report from Reynolds, but it aligns with everything we've been hearing out of Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Tuesday, The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reports. Stroud adds that Wirfs "will likely miss at least the first couple games of the regular season." ESPN's Adam Schefter calls Wirfs a candidate for the PUP list, which would cost him at least the first four games of the season.

ESPN's Jenna Laine says you should expect to see WR Emeka Egbuka play a "big role" for the Buccaneers right away -- "especially with Chris Godwin still recovering from ankle surgery, and even after." Laine says Egbuka has helped the Bucs "stretch the field horizontally" so far while also hauling in some big downfield plays.

The Buccaneers have agreed to a three-year deal with WR Chris Godwin. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it'll pay the WR $22 million a year, with $44 million in total guarantees.

The Buccaneers promoted Josh Grizzard to OC, replacing Liam Coen. Grizzard was the team's passing game coordinator last year. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Dolphins, moving from offensive quality control to WRs coach. Grizzard has no play-calling experience at any level, but the Bucs are prioritizing continuity after the big 2024 season under Coen. "Josh is bright and innovative and was instrumental in our game planning and play design over the last year," HC Todd Bowles said. "After interviewing several outstanding candidates throughout this process, it ultimately became clear that our best option was here in our building." Grizzard will be Tampa Bay's fourth different OC in the last four years -- and QB Baker Mayfield's ninth different play caller as a pro.

There's a 70% chance of rain throughout today's Panthers-Buccaneers game. Winds are only expected to come in around 10 mph, though, so weather shouldn't have a big impact on this one. We're not adjusting projections for Carolina or Tampa Bay players.

Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers. That should mean lead duties again for TE Payne Durham. He surprisingly ran a route on 88% of Bucs pass plays last week, catching five of seven targets for 29 yards. He'd be a desperation play in season-long lineups but is a viable salary-saver in DFS. Otton's absence could also push more targets to WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan and RBs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White.

Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday night’s game vs. the Cowboys. HC Todd Bowles called him a game-time decision on Friday morning, but he’s evidently unlikely to play. The other TEs on Tampa Bay’s roster are Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, and Devin Culp. None is a viable fantasy play. Otton’s absence should push more targets to the WRs and RBs.

Update: The Buccaneers downgraded Otton to out.

Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the 49ers. The rookie only got in a limited practice on Friday and would be a high-risk Week 10 fantasy start.