Five NFL players currently on IR, PUP, or NFI headlines for Week 1 of 2025: Brandon Aiyuk, Joe Mixon, Christian Watson, Jalen Coker, and Jalen McMillan. Aiyuk and Watson are on PUP with ACL injuries, Mixon starts on NFI amid ankle concerns, Coker is on IR with a quad, and McMillan heads to IR after a neck injury. The piece offers timelines and stash guidance for fantasy managers, highlighting ramped returns and the safety of IR spots, plus how rosters should weigh rest-of-season upside versus early-season risk.

Expect limited immediate fantasy impact from Aiyuk and Watson as they ease back, with late-season upside if they return around the back-half of the year. Mixon remains a high-uncertainty hold with potential RB2 upside if he returns, while Coker and McMillan represent deeper stash options whose roles hinge on who returns for their teams and the evolving WR corps. The piece emphasizes IR stash strategy and keeping eyes on target volume shifts as schedules unfold.

Jalen McMillan's 2025 fantasy outlook centers on an IR stint for a strained neck, likely delaying his season start beyond four weeks. Godwin's return and Evans as top targets cap his early upside, while Emeka Egbuka's addition could push him down TB's depth chart. stash McMillan in deeper leagues and monitor for a late-season surge if TB's passing attack loosens as the year unfolds.

Redraft value is muted while McMillan is out, but dynasty managers may view him as a longer-term upside hold if he returns healthy and can carve out a role behind Evans and Godwin. His late-2024 momentum shows the talent exists; the key is staying patient until the offense stabilizes and his opportunity materializes.

Final preseason clash in Tampa Bay pits the Buccaneers against Buffalo, a last roster audition at Raymond James Stadium as coaches trim the depth chart for Week 1. The game will be as much about film as score, with a focus on WR depth, offensive line continuity, and special-teams contribution as the team identifies who makes the final cut.

Chris Godwin's activation off the PUP list and Tristan Wirfs' expected start on the active roster bring clarity to the top of the Tampa passing game and the protection up front, while Jalen McMillan's neck injury tightens the competition for the remaining WR spots. The Bills provide a stiff test, looking to stress Tampa's depth and reveal which young players step forward when the lights are brightest.

From a fantasy lens, the emphasis is on who emerges behind Godwin, who takes on bigger roles if injuries or roster notes shift the pecking order, and which depth players steal targets or touches in preseason reps that could carry into Week 1.

Emeka Egbuka flashed again for the Buccaneers in Week 2 of the preseason, pulling in a one-handed touchdown against Brandin Echols and drawing praise for his polish. His lone reception underscored high-end ability, even as he played a limited role. Tampa Bay is expected to lean on him early, especially with Chris Godwin Jr. nursing an ankle injury from 2024 and Jalen McMillan on injured reserve.

PFF’s Dalton Wasserman highlighted Egbuka’s high-end potential, noting a seam-to-corner threat and a play where a pass sailed out of bounds, suggesting the rookie could contribute quickly in the Buccaneers’ passing game. While he may not be the top target right away, his poise and route sense hint at a rapid path to meaningful snaps in a QB-friendly system.

With the Bridgewater-led offense showing steady competence and Brandin Echols locking down opposing receivers in the preseason, Tampa Bay’s receiving corps could feature Egbuka prominently sooner than later. Fantasy managers should monitor Godwin’s health and the rookie’s continued usage as Week 1 approaches, as the slate could tilt toward a more defined pass-catching role earlier than expected.

Overall, Egbuka’s Week 2 performance reinforces a tantalizing upside for dynasty formats and a cautious DFS/season-long bet for 2024 fantasy rosters, especially in deeper leagues that prize rookie opportunity and pass-game involvement.