I had back surgery Monday. I did everything I could to buy time until after the season and exhausted all other options. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’m immensely grateful to those who follow, my family, my colleagues at ESPN, the Bucs and to my fellow reporters on the beat here in Tampa.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield: “I’m hoping our guys do get pissed off about this. This isn’t the end of our season. I know that. We have a very important game ahead of us. Games like this, when you don’t win them — it should sting. It should really, really hurt.”

The Bucs have activated Luke Goedeke from injured reserve. They have also called up Nick Jackson and outside linebacker Mohamed Kamara from the practice squad. Lastly, they have waived safety Sebastian Castro.

The Bucs have signed offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart to the practice squad and placed practice squad tackle Tyler McLellan on the practice squad/injured reserve list.

I’m late posting this (sorry was in an appointment), but the Bucs have opened right tackle Luke Goedeke’s 21-day practice window. He is eligible to play at any time once activated.

How’s everyone’s bye week going? Because I found a 40-pound cat on Facebook named “Forklift” (right) and back injury be damned, I’m 2 seconds from buying a flight New Jersey to rescue him and “DumpTruck Debbie” (left). Like my hide my wallet and disable Apple Pay immediately.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles told Ira Kaufman that Jalen McMillan actually suffered a broken bone in his neck www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

If you can make it through all four quarters of the infamous “Monsoon Game” at the top of the Ole Sombrero together, you can make it through 52 years of marriage. I’m biased, but my parents are cute and they’re great at Halloween.

I know some people are really worried about putting food on the table, so I wanted to pass this along, for those needing food assistance in Tampa Bay. I’ve personally worked with a couple of these organizations. ❤️ www.goodneighborsfl.org/resources

Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin and outside linebacker Anthony Nelson have been named NFC Players of the Week. It’s the first time a pair of Bucs teammates have won in the same week since 2008.

Thinking of Jamaica today. With Hurricane Melissa expected to bring catastrophic winds and the potential for extraordinary damage, here are ways to help abcnews.go.com/Internationa...

Todd Bowles said they were told it was an “erroneous whistle,” adding, “As soon as he hit him, he stripped him. I got no answers for that.” He said of Antoine Winfield Jr: “He had a hell of a day. I’m still pissed off over some of it…We gotta do something. We’ll discuss that with the league.”

Welp… My back hasn’t been cooperating since Detroit so no New Orleans for me 😔 A good reminder that people only show what they want the world to see on social media (below) and not necessarily their quiet, debilitating struggles when no one is watching.

Made it back on the road and showed love to my fave, the 👑 of Motown, Marvin Gaye. He tried out for the Lions in 1970 and Lem Barney and Mel Farr are featured on “What’s Goin On.” Their friendship was pivotal for him in multiple ways.

Mike Evans will undergo surgery this week to repair his broken collarbone and more Bucs injury updates ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Emeka Egbuka, Cade Otton and Baker Mayfield describe what it was like seeing Mike Evans go down. Egbuka, who knelt beside him and prayed said, "He's someone who's very strong-willed, so it's really hard to break him.” www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

This is from Doug Martin’s agent Brian Murphy on behalf of his family. It says he battled mental health challenges that “profoundly impacted his personal and professional life.” It also says his parents were trying to get him medical assistance.

Baker Mayfield and the Bucs have managed a 5-1 record despite being without their top four receivers and Bucky Irving. How? You can look to the guy who had Tez Johnson watch film with him at 5 a.m. and who helped restore Kam Johnson’s confidence www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

This first pic I snapped of Doug Martin is how I will always remember him. He had a playful spirit. Gerald McCoy had a tradition of treating teammates to a visit from the ice cream truck on the last day of minicamp and Doug was always very happy about this. An honor to cover him.

An update on the Bucs’ injury situation heading into MNF at the Lions www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Broderick Jones got swept up in the moment of a fourth quarter touchdown by Aaron Rodgers and decided to tackle Aaron in celebration. Aaron didn’t appreciate being tackled by his 311-pound teammate. I decided to put it to “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Baker Mayfield tried to temper the “MVP” chatter after the Bucs’ 30-19 win over the 49ers Sunday. But teammates, coaches and fans let their feelings be known. Tristan Wirfs said, “To watch Baker go to work every week is incredible. We love him to death” www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

No Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving this week in Detroit but coach Todd Bowles said Mike Evans, Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison will return to practice www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

No one…absolutely no one: Baker Mayfield on third down scrambles:

This is the Bucs’ first win over the 49ers since 2018. This is the Bucs’ first 5-1 start since 2021 and they are 5-1 for the sixth time in franchise history (1979, 1997, 2002, 2005, 2021, 2025).

Get to talk some Bucs early in the 7 a.m. ET hour on Sports Center tomorrow 📺 and then at 9:30 a.m. ET on ESPN Radio 📻. You can listen live here: www.espn.com/espnradio/pl...

Deets on the Bucs’ injury situation — Bucky Irving, what’s going on with Chris Godwin and why Zyon McCollum is now out — and some areas of focus heading into the Niners game www.espn.com/video/clip?i...

All four of the Bucs’ wins this season have come from game-winning scores in the final minute, the most in NFL history. But they aren’t alone. A historic SEVENTEEN games so far have featured go-ahead scores in the final minute, with thrilling finishes www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs said opponents can try to trash talk quarterback Baker Mayfield before games but also warned: “You’re just poking the bear.” www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs on the Seahawks fan chirping at Baker Mayfield: “He didn’t have anything. Like his material was f—-ing sh—. Pardon my language but it was brutal. Like if you’re gonna be a heckler, you gotta step your game up. And Bake just kinda let him know that.”

Baker Mayfield on changing perceptions of him: “Early on in my career it was ‘cocky, immature.’ Now it’s ‘moxie’ and ‘he’s a dog.’ Same sh— different day. As long as you play well, they change the narrative, but you’ve just gotta be yourself, and I’ve always been like that.”

Baker Mayfield said he was disappointed in Sterling Shepard for not celebrating his game-tying touchdown with a little over a minute to go against the Seahawks Sunday: a story in two parts.

Baker Mayfield has seen the perception of him change dramatically from when he was the Browns’ first overall pick to being what some have called an MVP candidate in Tampa. Yes, he’s matured. But he’s the same guy at his core — and with a game on the line www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: How much did the Bucs’ win over the Seahawks impact their position? www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

52 years of marriage today for these lovebirds. He still makes her laugh and she still cooks a mean plate of spaghetti. She still puts up with him misplacing anything and everything and he still puts up with her living room play-by-play until the fourth quarter. ❤️❤️❤️

Listen to what rookie Tez Johnson had to say about teammate Emeka Egbuka, who’s had some historic numbers as a rookie. “He deserves everything that comes his way.” Johnson helps him plan his touchdown celebrations. He admires his openness about his faith.

Emeka Egbuka: “I don't enter any seasons of my life with too many expectations when it comes to statistics or anything really. I'm just trying to honor and glorify God, be obedient to whatever He’s called me to. I feel like He has me in Tampa for a reason. And that purpose is bigger than football.”

A history-making day for Bucs rookie WR Emeka Egbuka. "It's his mentality. It's his physical makeup. It's his willingness to work. It's his intelligence. It's his athleticism," coach Todd Bowles said. "He has the entire makeup and the entire package." www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Lavonte David called the interception a “moment to rise.” He said everybody was “pissed off” being in that situation, trailing in the final minute on the road. “Somebody had to rise, and everybody had that attitude. … Guys know the game's not over until the game is over.”

Quick-hitting thoughts on Bucs-Seahawks and all other games taking place around the NFL through the 4 p.m. time slot www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

From Elias: The Buccaneers have four wins this season after trailing inside the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. That's the most by any team in its first five games over the last 45 years.

Baker Mayfield on Emeka Egbuka: “He’s kind of one-of-one. He’s well-rounded, and not just in football — in life. I think he’s grounded and I think he’s genuine in everything he does. He’s intentional. And you just don’t see that often...”

A proud cheering squad for Bucs wide receiver Emeka Egbuka as he makes his return to the Seattle area today. That’s his dad Henry on the far left (photo courtesy of Henry Egbuka).

Bucs inactives vs the Seahawks featuring no surprises. That tends to be the case with such long distance travel: CB Jamel Dean, WR Mike Evans, RB Bucky Irving, S Christian Izien, CB Benjamin Morrison.

The Seattle Mariners, who are playing Game 2 of the ALDS across the street from Bucs-Seahawks today, were the first big-time sports team to take notice of then 8-year-old Emeka Egbuka. He hasn’t forgotten and neither have they. www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

The late Vincent Jackson’s Jackson in Action 83 Foundation is now stepping into what his wife Lindsey and their four children — Carter, Amaya, Dominick and Miles — call “a new era.” They are now the Vincent Jackson Family Foundation. Each star on their new logo represents the children.

In addition to the foot sprain he’s been dealing with, Bucs running back Bucky Irving has a shoulder subluxation, sources told our Adam Schefter. More: www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Have you checked out the new Sports Center for You? You can access it on the ESPN app by clicking “Verts” at the bottom of the screen. You’ll get Bucs updates like this one, previewing their matchup with the Seahawks. Baker wants to “come out swinging.”

You guys are gonna want to see this: footage of 8-year-old Emeka Egbuka from when he won the Pitch, Hit & Run National Finals repping the Mariners, the team that plays across the street from the Bucs Sunday. In an alternate universe, he said he could have been playing there too!

Finally injury report for Bucs at Seahawks. Bucky Irving, Benjamin Morrison, Jamel Dean and Christian Izien all ruled out, along with Mike Evans. No other injury designations for Tampa Bay however.