Baker Mayfield appears on track for his Week 7 return to the Buccaneers lineup, and running back Bucky Irving is right there with him, getting in a limited practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday with an illness. This is big news for the Bucs offense as they gear up to face the Panthers.
Key Players Stepping Back On The Field
Irving wasn’t the only one making progress on Thursday. Cornerback Zyon McCollum also saw an upgrade, moving to a limited practice after being sidelined with an illness to start the week. Having these guys back on the field, even in a limited capacity, is a definite boost. It signals that some of the players who were under the weather are shaking it off and getting ready for game day. You always want your full squad available, or as close to it as possible, especially when you are looking to get a win.
The Lingering Concerns: Egbuka’s Roadblock
Unfortunately, it is not all good news for the Bucs. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, dealing with both a concussion and a foot injury, seems far less likely to play. He missed practice for the second straight day, which makes it incredibly tough for him to clear concussion protocol in time for the Panthers game. Missing practice two days in a row is a major hurdle for anyone trying to get back on the field, let alone someone in concussion protocol. The team will also be without right tackle Luke Goedeke, who is nursing a calf injury, and linebacker Christian Rozeboom, out with a finger issue; both also missed their second consecutive practice.
Safety Antoine Winfield, trying to come back after missing the last two games due to a rib injury, remained a limited participant. While it is a step, he is still not back to full speed, which is something to keep an eye on.
Full Steam Ahead For These Guys
On the brighter side, a whole crew of players were full participants in Thursday’s practice. This is exactly what you want to see heading into a matchup. Punter Riley Dixon, defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, guard Cody Mauch, kicker Chase McLaughlin, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, receiver David Sills, linebacker Josiah Trotter, and running back Sean Tucker all took part fully. It means they are good to go and ready to contribute when the Bucs take on the Panthers.
This Week 7 clash against the Panthers is critical, and the Bucs will need every healthy body they can get to make a statement. Keep an eye on those final injury reports for any last-minute updates on Egbuka and Winfield!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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