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.

Buccaneers WRs Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring, hip) are listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the 49ers. Both guys only got in limited practices on Friday. Try to avoid Bucs WRs in Week 10 fantasy lineups.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is inactive for tonight’s game vs. the Chiefs. He injured his hamstring in Saturday’s practice, leaving him iffy for Week 10. The Bucs have a Week 11 bye. WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is active, joining Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett, Ryan Miller, and Marquez Callaway in this undermanned WR corps. TE Cade Otton is the best bet for Bucs targets tonight.

Bucs WRs Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard are listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Chiefs with hamstring injuries. McMillan was added to the injury report and limited in practice on Saturday, which likely means he got hurt in that practice. Shepard was sidelined on Thursday and Friday before returning to a limited practice on Saturday. With the late kickoff and a tough matchup against the Chiefs' third-ranked WR defense, try to avoid McMillan and Shepard in Week 9 fantasy lineups.

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Saints. He’s expected to be out through Tampa Bay’s Week 11 bye. With WR Chris Godwin (knee) out for the season, the Bucs are down to Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, and Sterling Shepard as their top three WRs. McMillan is our favorite among the three, but you’d ideally avoid this situation in Week 8 season-long lineups.