Bucs' Emeka Egbuka Reportedly Will Play vs. Lions Amid Hamstring Injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will reportedly play in Monday's game against the Detroit Lions after his status was in doubt because of a hamstring injury.

After Egbuka was back at practice on Saturday while dealing with a hamstring injury, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that the rookie receiver would be a "game-time decision" for Monday Night Football.

Egbuka missed most of the second half of the Bucs' 30-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers last week due to a hamstring injury.

Bowles told reporters after the game there was no official update beyond Egbuka was still being evaluated.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday the belief was Egbuka's injury was less severe than the one fellow Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans suffered in Week 3, but he was still considered unlikely to play against the Lions.

Egbuka and Chris Godwin sat out the first two days of practice last week. Evans was listed as a limited participant on Thursday but sat out Friday's practice.

Fox Sports' Greg Auman noted that Evans is "fine" for Monday night, but Godwin has been ruled out. And as it turns out, Egbuka will be able to play.

The Bucs haven't had Evans and Egbuka start and finish a game together since Week 2 against the Houston Texans. They are off to a 5-1 start despite being missing several key players for at least one game, including Evans, Godwin, Tristan Wirfs and Bucky Irving.

Irving is another player who has also been ruled out for Monday night due to foot and shoulder injuries.

Having Egbuka against the Lions will be huge for the Buccaneers in a matchup of arguably the two best teams in the NFC right now. The Ohio State alum has already made a huge impact in his first season with 469 yards and five touchdowns on 27 receptions.

The Bucs and Lions will play at Ford Field on Monday night at 7 p.m. ET.