Ted Hurst III became a go-to target for Baker Mayfield during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ second week of training camp, making an impact as three wide receivers missed Tuesday’s practice. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Hurst III in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft to add depth and another vertical threat to the receiver room.
Head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield trusts Hurst III to be in the right place with the football. Bowles also praised the receiver’s timing, vertical ability and hands after his performance at the AdventHealth Training Center.
“Baker trusts him,” said Head Coach Todd Bowles on Hurst. “He knows he goes where he needs to go with the football. Ted was open at the right time, so we know he’s got a good vertical and he’s got very good hands. He made a heck of a play.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers provide receiver updates
Jalen McMillan, Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka did not practice Tuesday inside the AdventHealth Training Center. Bowles said McMillan and Egbuka were dealing with lower-body soreness and were held out as a safeguard. The source did not specify Godwin’s situation, while noting that he had received veteran days off throughout training camp.
Tez Johnson left practice early after an injury during a one-on-one drill. Bowles said Johnson appeared to have strained a groin and would receive treatment to assess the injury.
“I think he strained a groin running, so we’ll get treatment and see how it is,” noted Bowles on Johnson.
David Walker details four-to-one defensive approach
David Walker is healthy in 2026 after missing his 2025 rookie season because of a torn ACL suffered before the pads came on during training camp. Walker underwent reparative surgery and has impressed the coaching staff during this year’s camp. At Central Arkansas, he was a three-time consensus All-American and won the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top FCS defender.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive line is working to increase pressure through a “four to one” approach. Walker said defensive line coach Marcus West and outside linebackers/run game coordinator Larry Foote have emphasized that if one defender is not rushing, another defender must win.
“Yeah, last year, we were bombed with injuries,” noted Walker. “We really didn’t have that kind of pressure that we have this year. I feel like this year we’re more together. (Defensive Line) Coach Marcus [West] he, and (Outside Linebackers/Run Game Coordinator) Coach [Larry] Foote, they speak on four to one. That’s all of us, if one of us [isn’t] rushing, then somebody has to win. That’s the mentality that we’re going in [with], that’s the standard and hopefully we can set that throughout the whole season.”
Source: Original report