Multiple players, including Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan missed practice on Monday. Rookie QB Jalon Daniels also saw a big boost in reps following his strong preseason showing.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got off to a positive start in their first game of the 2026 NFL Preseason, with multiple players lower on the depth chart getting opportunities and making the most of them.
This was by design from head coach Todd Bowles, who made it clear that the starters would not play.
But, the team is also nursing some significant injuries from important members of the first team, with many players sidelined for Monday's practice.
According to Pewter Report, defensive tackle Elijah Simmons, interior lineman Billy Schrauth, defensive back Zyon McCollum, offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma, and the wide receiver duo of Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka made up the laundry list of inactive players on Monday.
While none of these players have significant injuries, it doesn't help that depth players like Chukwuma and Simmons are missing reps during the preseason.
For Egbuka and McMillan, they should be ready for Week 1, but likely won't see any snaps in the Bucs' remaining preseason affairs.
Egbuka recently suffered a toe injury in joint practice against the New York Jets, but avoided major injury.
Defensive tackle Vita Vea was also not seen at practice, as he is currently going through his contract dispute.
This is odd, however, as Vea previously has opted to be on the sideline and even help out with some of the D-line drills.
One positive for Tampa is presumed backup quarterback Jake Browning returning to practice after being rolled up on last week.
Browning was in line to start the preseason game against New York, but was held out to nurse the minor back injury.
Rookie QB Jalon Daniels took advantage of the increased workload, going 10-15 for 111 passing yards and adding three carries for nine yards, including his goalline score.
Following the game, he was all smiles at the podium, where he talked about how happy he was to have his opportunity and even find the endzone.
"I can't stop smiling ear to ear," Daniels said.
Daniels has been turning heads throughout camp with his mobility and arm strength, and has now seemingly surpassed QB3 Connor Bazelak on the depth chart.
BuccaneersPost reported that Daniels and starting QB Baker Mayfield split reps 50-50 on Monday, with the nursing Browning and Bazelak only working in the individual drills.
While Browning is a proven above-average backup in this league, Daniels' production and development is a good sign for the depth of Tampa's QB room.
