Panthers Beat: RB Jonathon Brooks seems to be moving well

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters last week that receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan were “headed in the right direction” as they deal with their respective injuries.

Both players took a step forward to start the week.

According to multiple reporters on the scene, Egbuka and McMillan both returned to practice on Monday — a positive sign for their Week 1 availability.

Related players: Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson, Ted Hurst

Egbuka has been dealing with a toe injury, while McMillan has a knee injury. It makes for a big impact on the Bucs WR depth chart as Egbuka is considered the team's WR1 and McMillan is in the mix for the WR3 spot with Johnson and the rookie Hurst, who is coming off a great camp and offseason.

Welcome back, Kyle Monangai. D’Andre Swift was also back at practice.

Monangai is back after missing a couple weeks with a hyperextended knee. Swift returns after leaving Thursday’s session due to cramping. Looks like the Bears RB duo will be set to go in Week 1. We rank Swift as a low-end RB2 heading into the season.

Head coach Dan Campbell said the RB2 role could be by committee with Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki.

Related players: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco

Campbell said he doesn't see Saylors as the lone RB2 behind Gibbs and Vaki has been getting pretty good reps in practice. Campbell added the team feels Vaki is ready to take on work as a runner, pass protector and receiver, but the team feels good about either back. Campbell added the team has seen more of Saylors in the preseason, which could give him the edge. Pacheco is going to miss at least the first four games and as of now it looks like the team will go with Saylors and Vaki behind Gibbs. It could mean Gibbs is in store for huge workloads in that span.