The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are relatively healthy entering their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it appears they will be without one important piece of their receiving corps. Jalen McMillan is officially listed as doubtful with a knee injury after being limited throughout the week. While he was able to make progress and return to practice, the Bucs could decide that another week of recovery is the better option rather than rushing him back for Week 1.
If McMillan doesn't play, Tampa Bay still has plenty of options for Baker Mayfield as Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka remain the top two receivers in the offense. Egbuka is coming off a toe injury of his own, but he practiced fully throughout the week, and Todd Bowles said he will
be "full go" against Cincinnati. That should allow the Bucs to move Godwin Jr. and Egbuka around the formation rather than having either player locked into one role. Both are capable of working inside or outside, giving offensive coordinator Zac Robinson some flexibility in replacing McMillan's snaps. The bigger question is who steps into the third receiver role. Rookie Ted Hurst III could see his first significant regular-season opportunity after earning a spot on the roster this summer. Hurst brings size to the position and gives Mayfield another option on the outside, something that could become especially valuable without McMillan available. Tez Johnson should also factor in, as his speed and ability after the catch give Tampa Bay a different type of weapon, and Robinson could find ways to get the ball into his hands through quick passes and manufactured touches.
Tampa Bay can lean more heavily on Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell out of the backfield or increase the involvement of Cade Otton and the tight ends. Robinson has talked throughout the offseason about using different personnel packages, and McMillan's likely absence could provide the first real example of that flexibility. Losing McMillan would take away one of Mayfield's better young weapons, but Tampa Bay is much better positioned to handle his absence than it might have been in previous seasons.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: How will the Bucs offense look without McMillan week 1
