Emeka Egbuka took another step forward Monday, returning to practice and participating in individual drills after spending last week working off to the side while recovering from his toe injury. Jalen McMillan also returned to individual work as Tampa Bay began its Week 1 preparation.

That's a meaningful progression from where Egbuka stood last week. He has moved from rehabilitation work into actual practice activity, increasing confidence in his availability for Sunday's opener against Cincinnati.

There is one important distinction: Egbuka's return improves his health outlook, but McMillan's simultaneous return means we shouldn't automatically translate that progress into additional injury-created target volume.

Keep Egbuka in Week 1 plans and reduce the injury-risk discount.

We still want Wednesday's official Buccaneers injury report before calling the toe issue fully cleared, but Monday's participation moves Egbuka clearly in the right direction.

Emeka Egbuka — WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka returned to practice and individual drills as his Week 1 outlook improves.

This is the progression FAZE wanted to see.

Egbuka has gone from working off to the side to participating with the team. That's enough to improve his Week 1 outlook without getting ahead of the evidence and declaring the injury finished.

FAZE Status: BACK AT PRACTICE