Bucs Fans May See Ted Hurst Get Several Snaps
September 13th, 2026
If you believe NFL injury reports, Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan may not play this afternoon as the Bucs open their 2026 season in Cincinnati.
Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka will definitely be on the field. And fans may get to see rookie Ted Hurst.
Hurst has Joe stoked. The guy has really demonstrated,vat least in practice, that the NFL is not too big for him.
The Bucs’ third-round pick out of Georgia State is 6-4 with speed to run go-routes, which makes people think of Mike Evans. But what Joe has noticed about Hurst isn’t so much his size or his speed. Instead, he is just so damn consistent making all meat-and-potatoes catches, specifically contested catches.
Joe spoke with Hurst this past week about how he may reach his dream today and play in his first NFL game.
Hurst said his head is locked in at the task at hand: Helping the Bucs win. He’ll soak his first NFL game in afterwards.
“It’s a job,” Hurst said. “Everybody has a goal. This is a team. We have to go out there and be the best we can.
“You have to understand it is a different tempo. Preseason is over with. [Cincinnati is] playing for their lives also.”
Joe asked Hurst about his ability to haul in contested passes. He said that’s the goal: Catch all passes, difficult or easy.”
“That’s my role and that’s my game,” Hurst said of contested catches, even saying that’s more important to him than stretching the field and making “wow” catches. “If they are looking for me to go up and get those 50/50 contested balls or make plays down the field, that’s what I am going to do.”
Joe had a chat recently with a Bucs personnel guy. Joe asked what impressed him most about Hurst, his ability to bring in contested catches or stretch the field. The Bucs’ type answered, “Yes.” But Joe pressed and learned what got Hurst on the Bucs’ radar was his ability to peel away from defenders on bombs and his YAC.
The more tape the Bucs watched of him, the more they were impressed Hurst is a damn good all-around receiver.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:36 am
Ben Hurst? Cousin of Bucs WR Ted Hurst?
September 13th, 2026 at 6:01 am
Good.
We didn’t draft him and put him on the 53 so he could sit on the sidelines.
Thankfully, we have a well-stocked WR room plus a couple of TEs and RBs who are all capable of catching the ball.
No need to toss him into the deep end, but he can certainly get his feet wet.
That may have been part of the issue with Emeka last year. Through no fault of his own, he was called on to do a lot more than he was really ready for as a rookie.
Ideally, that doesn’t happen with Ted this year. He seems like the kind of player who’ll work to get better with each game and practice. Get him a few snaps and increase his workload when he shows he’s ready for it.
Looking forward to seeing him get some snaps today. And what he does with them!
September 13th, 2026 at 6:20 am
Watched the 49ers play the Rams. Could not miss the good game ME had. Love ME.
I am fearful we are going to miss the move the chains on 3rd down and the fade into the corner of the end zone ME was always a lock to give the Bucs.
Godwin was also good at converting 3rd downs. And maybe Hurst (along with Otton can provide us that end zone threat.
We shall see very soon.
September 13th, 2026 at 6:53 am
will ted hurst catch the fade in the back of the end zone that always went to me13?
September 13th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Simple
Run
Catch
Run
September 13th, 2026 at 7:25 am
He’s going to be singled up by their third corner. Godwin, and EE will get their best. I like Ted to beat that kind of coverage today.
September 13th, 2026 at 7:31 am
Dang Vanessa – you crushed it. I couldn’t agree with you more.
September 13th, 2026 at 7:43 am
At least it’s likeky Hurst wont fall down after most catches like Mike did……looking forward to some YAC
September 13th, 2026 at 9:10 am
MAY get to see???
Definitely will see plenty of is more likely.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Thank you, Lt. Dan!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:40 am
ME13 had an average game and dropped one (as usual) right in his hands. I hope he has a good season but I doubt he plays all year. It worked out well for us and I am predicting Ted Hurst has a better season than Mike. Father Time always wins. Go Bucs
September 13th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Sorry , but father time does not always win. Rice was very productive until he was 40.
September 13th, 2026 at 11:11 am
Unleash the beast! Cincy wont have any tape on Ted…my hope is he will be able to sneak past secondary for a few catches and then turn on jets to end zone.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
We will proably see him on defense rushing the passer while Bain drops into coverage.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
hold onto it tighter, no more punchouts please, no more stupid penalties for throwing a punch either