Idle for Friday's exhibition contest
Gainwell did not play in the Buccaneers' 24-16 preseason win over the Jets on Friday.
Both Gainwell and Bucky Irving, the Bucs' top running backs on the depth chart, observed Friday's game in street clothes while Josh Williams, Sean Tucker and Kadarius Calloway all saw action. Gainwell is coming off a breakout 2025 season with the Steelers, when he accumulated 1,023 yards from scrimmage on 187 touches across 17 regular-season games. He caught 73 passes (on 85 targets) last year with Pittsburgh, and he figures to see a sizable role in Tampa Bay's passing game for the upcoming season.
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Jalen McMillan
Doesn't play Friday vs. NYJ
McMillan (knee) did not play in Friday's 26-14 preseason win over the Jets.
Cade Otton
Idle for preseason opener
Otton did not play in Friday's 24-16 preseason win over the Jets.
Ted Hurst III
Two grabs in starting role
Hurst brought in two of six targets for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-16 preseason win over the Jets on Friday.
Sean Tucker
Garners 23 total yards in preseason win
Tucker rushed four times for 12 yards and brought in both targets for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-16 preseason win over the Jets on Friday.
Emeka Egbuka
Optimism for Week 1 status
Egbuka had more tests done on his injured toe Friday, which confirmed a sprain that's stable, and the Buccaneers are optimistic that the second-year wide receiver will be available Week 1 at Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Toe sprain to be checked out
Egbuka suffered a sprained toe during Wednesday's practice, and testing will determine the severity of the injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Dealing with minor toe injury
Egbuka left Wednesday's practice due to a toe injury that's considered minor, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Injury doesn't appear serious
After leaving Wednesday's practice with an apparent lower-body injury, Egbuka stuck around on the sideline to watch the rest of the session, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Limps off with trainers at Wednesday's practice
Egbuka limped off the field with trainers at Wednesday's practice, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Baker Mayfield
Will rest for first preseason game
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Mayfield will be rested for the preseason opener Friday versus the Jets, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.