Tedd Hurst Watch Against Jacksonville
August 28th, 2026
Will Ted Hurst, No. 17, play tonight?
Bucs fans might want to hope rookie receiver Ted Hurst plays tonight for one very specific reason.
If Hurst does not play, that could be a major sign that injuries to receivers Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) are more serious than many believe.
Joe believes if there’s any question about opening-day availability for Egbuka and McMillan, then Hurst will be placed in bubble wrap tonight because Todd Bowles might have to start Hurst in Week 1 at Cincinnati.
In that scenario, the Bucs can’t play games letting Hurst run tonight against the Jaguars’ soon-to-be grad students, mattress movers, car salesmen and gym teachers.
Yes, Joe realizes it might be a good idea to sit Hurst anyway. Protect the young man. Let guys like Garrett Greene, Dean Patterson IV, Kameron Johnson and other bubble receivers have the game. Hurst had a very strong practice in pads on Tuesday against the Jaguars. Even Jacksonville media was highly impressed.
Regardless, Joe will have a keen eye on Hurst’s status tonight.