Emeka Egbuka Is Active, Saving Baker Mayfield From Throwing To The Equipment Staff

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans can finally exhale. According to Ian Rapoport, rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is officially lacing up today against the Chicago Bears after spending the week nursing a foot injury.

Egbuka missed Wednesday's practice, which usually triggers a full-scale panic for a team whose injury report currently reads like a medical journal. But after logging full sessions to close the week, the rookie is good to go.

"#Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka (foot) is playing today after being listed as questionable. He missed Wednesday but was a full participant after that."

This is the kind of news that saves Baker Mayfield from having to throw slant routes to the assistant wide receivers coach. With Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both missing significant time this season, the Tampa Bay offense has been operating on duct tape and sheer willpower.

Before the hamstring, concussion, and foot issues derailed his momentum, Egbuka was putting up video game numbers. He racked up 27 catches for 472 yards and five touchdowns in his first five career games, putting him in a statistical club with Randy Moss and Ja'Marr Chase.

That kind of production makes him the undisputed alpha of this depleted passing attack. For anyone staring at Mayfield's passing props or sweating a flex spot in fantasy, Egbuka being a full participant late in the week is the exact green light you want to see.

He is not out there to be a decoy. When you are the last explosive playmaker standing on the depth chart, you are going to see double-digit targets by default.

The Buccaneers walk into Soldier Field tonight for a prime-time clash with the Bears. If Egbuka's foot holds up, Tampa Bay has a real shot to keep their makeshift offense humming. If it flares up, Mayfield is going to have to pull another miracle out of a very empty hat.