Buccaneers 'fortunate' for Tez Johnson amid WR injury crisis

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can't catch a break when it comes to injuries on the offensive side of the ball against the San Francisco 49ers, already without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield lost Emeka Egbuka in the third quarter.

But it didn't matter. 

Why? Tez Johnson.

The rookie has stepped up in the last two weeks, with yards totals of 59 and then 45, with his game against the 49ers seeing him haul in his first NFL touchdown with a diving catch, before doing a backflip in the endzone.

And speaking about Tez, Buccaneers receivers coach Bryan McClendon was nothing but glowing about Johnson from the first time he saw him to now.

“The first thing that jumped off when you watch Tez coming out of college was his ability to create explosive plays,” McClendon said. “Defenses are way too good to go eight, nine, 10 plays in a row without you screwing up something on offense. So, you need guys that you're constantly looking for that can create those explosive plays on their own, and that was something that jumped off the tape about Tez.

"He impressed everybody through the interview process, and we're fired up to get him and even more fortunate right now to be able to have him.”

More: Buccaneers' Mike Evans has new injury return timeline revealed for Week 7

Tez set for another big role vs. Lions

With Godwin already out of the Week 7 clash, and Evans, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, stating that Evans has a real chance at playing, Tez might again see the field often.

Having taken his chance with both hands, Johnson is now developing chemistry with Mayfield, and we can add him to the long list of weapons that Baker can now dissect defenses with. He also gives Tampa Bay a deep threat option on every play, with his touchdown against the 49ers, a 45-yard bomb.

So, if Evans can't go, the Buccaneers will feel confident in the receivers they have to get the job done, and one will be Tez, who, after biding his time, has gotten his chance, and he's not wasting it.

And for a rookie, that is exactly what the coaching staff wants. 

More Buccaneers news: 

• Buccaneers get incredible grade for slaying 49ers | Sporting News
• Buccaneers ready for 'battle-tested' Lions in NFC showdown | Sporting News
• Buccaneers continue Super Bowl surge in latest power rankings | Sporting News
• Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield ties Patrick Mahomes for recent NFL QB record | Sporting News