RADIO
Sean Tucker Could Offer Deep-League Value
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker is coming off his best performance of the season. Last week, Tucker carried the ball seven times for 52 yards and scored a touchdown in the win over the Carolina Panthers. Both the rushing attempts and yardage were season highs for Tucker, who has seen a minimal workload early in the season. Tucker could be asked to take on an expanded role this weekend with fellow back Kenneth Gainwell (hip) listed as questionable ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Given his performance last week and the injury to Gainwell, Tucker might be a sneaky deep league option this weekend. It's worth noting that the Falcons do have one of the better rushing defenses in the league. They currently rank 4th in the league, allowing only 88.9 rushing yards on average per game. If Gainwell gets downgraded, fantasy managers in deep leagues might be able to stream Tucker as a low-end flex option this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Stays in RB2 Range
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was a man who couldn't be stopped on the ground during last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. Irving carried the ball 24 times for 106 yards with two touchdowns in the blowout victory. The 24-year-old has been a stud recently with over 100 rushing yards in two of his last three games. Fantasy managers might want to lower their expectations with Irving heading into a tougher matchup in Week 8. He'll be running against the Atlanta Falcons defense that currently ranks 4th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game at 88.9. Irving sits as Rotoballer's RB13 and should be considered a high-end RB2 for this upcoming NFC South matchup.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kenny Gainwell Could Be Game-Time Decision Against Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) returned to practice Friday but could be a game-time decision for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Gainwell did not practice Wednesday before returning as a limited participant Thursday after dealing with a hip injury during last week's victory over Carolina. Despite missing the third quarter, he finished with a season-high 88 rushing yards on 14 carries, a significant increase from his workload through the first six games. Bucky Irving remained Tampa Bay's lead back with 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, while Sean Tucker added 52 yards and a score on seven attempts. Gainwell's availability could influence Tucker's opportunities behind Irving, but neither backup has established a dependable weekly fantasy role. Irving remains the safest starting option in this backfield regardless of Gainwell's status.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Bucky Irving's Absence Chalked up to Rest
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (rest) was not spotted at Thursday's practice, but beat writer Greg Auman has since reported that his absence was a simple rest day for the third-year veteran. Irving is coming off a dominant 110-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Panthers and is the fantasy RB13 through seven weeks, so any missed time is a rightful cause for concern after injuries limited him to only 10 games in 2025 while sapping him of the explosiveness put on display both before and since. That said, he appears to be well on track to suit up for a Week 8 matchup with the Falcons and is RotoBaller's RB13 ahead of the divisional clash.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Kenny Gainwell Returns to Practice on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) returned to practice on Thursday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Meanwhile, fellow RB Bucky Irving (undisclosed) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media after he was a full-go on Wednesday. The Buccaneers' backfield has some question marks right now as they prepare to take on the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 this Sunday. If Gainwell is cleared to play and Irving is inactive this weekend, Gainwell would instantly have RB2 upside after a disappointing start to his first year with the team. The 27-year-old came out of nowhere to catch a career-high 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but so far through seven weeks this season, he has just 12 catches on 17 targets for 61 yards and one score, adding 33 carries for 149 yards (4.5 yards per attempt). The efficiency has been there, but the volume is lacking with Irving settled in as the lead back. Gainwell had a season-high 14 carries for 88 yards on the ground in the Week 7 blowout win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers, but fantasy managers cannot count on that happening every week as long as Irving is healthy.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Bucky Irving Not at Thursday's Practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (undisclosed) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Pewter Report. Meanwhile, fellow RB Kenny Gainwell (hip) was back on the field after not participating in practice on Wednesday. It is unclear what is keeping Irving off the field for the team's second practice of the week, but if he cannot play this weekend against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, both Gainwell (if he is active) and Sean Tucker would have expanded backfield roles for the Bucs on Sunday. Irving had his second 100-yard rushing game in the last three weeks and scored two times on a season-high 24 carries in the Week 7 blowout win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers, and he has been the clear leader of Tampa's backfield through the first seven weeks of the season. Check back for an update on the 24-year-old RB as to why he was not on the field for practice on Thursday. If he is active this weekend, he will be a must-start fantasy RB against the Falcons.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Kenny Gainwell Limited in Practice With Hip Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. It is a new injury for Gainwell, who apparently injured his hip in the Week 7 blowout win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday. While the 27-year-old is now questionable to play this weekend against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, he is on the right side of questionable after practicing on Wednesday. If Gainwell is limited at all or unable to play against Atlanta, it would open the door for Sean Tucker to see an elevated workload and put him in play as a viable RB3/flex in fantasy football leagues. Gainwell has been a disappointment in 2026 in his first year in Tampa after catching a career-high 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, and he is now rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues. However, he did have a season-high 14 carries for 88 yards in the blowout against Carolina on Sunday, and he is averaging 4.5 yards per carry as the change-of-pace back behind starter Bucky Irving.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Kenny Gainwell Worthy of Waiver-Wire Consideration After Efficient Outing
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has demonstrated efficiency in the rushing attack all season long, even when he hasn't been tasked with handling a large workload. Gainwell is now averaging more than 4.5 yards per carry this season, and he exploded for 6.3 yards per carry on 14 rushing attempts in the Bucs' 43-13 win over the Panthers on Sunday in Week 7. The 27-year-old only played 30% of the snaps in the divisional win, but Tampa Bay leaned on him to handle a large workload, especially once the score got out of hand later in the game. While Gainwell's overall volume was likely skewed by garbage time and may not be sustainable, the fact that he maintained impressive efficiency numbers should be an encouraging sign going forward. We expect him to continue posting around four to five yards per carry going forward, even if his overall volume of rushing attempts gets scaled back a little. He's an intriguing handcuff behind Bucky Irving with the potential to handle more volume in garbage time or if Irving gets banged up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bucky Irving Scores Twice in 100-Yard Rushing Performance
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving offers RB2 value heading into Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons after delivering his second 100-yard rushing performance in three games during Sunday's 43-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers, finishing with 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Irving scored from four yards out on Tampa Bay's opening possession after accounting for 47 rushing yards on the drive, then added a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He also caught one of two targets for four yards, finishing with 110 scrimmage yards. It was a welcome turnaround after Irving managed just 46 rushing yards on 19 attempts against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. Kenny Gainwell remained involved, rushing 14 times for 88 yards, although Irving handled both of Tampa Bay's short-yardage touchdown opportunities, and his 24 carries and goal-line usage outweigh any concern about Gainwell's involvement.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kenny Gainwell Returns From Hip Injury Against Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) has returned to Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, according to Greg Auman, restoring another option to the Buccaneers' backfield, although Bucky Irving continues to handle the majority of the rushing workload. Gainwell was initially questionable to return after leaving in the third quarter with nine carries for 49 yards. The veteran has since added five rushing attempts for 39 yards, bringing his total to 14 carries for 88 yards, easily his highest rushing output of the season. Irving remains Tampa Bay's lead back with 24 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while Sean Tucker has also contributed a 46-yard touchdown run.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Kenny Gainwell Questionable to Return With Hip Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, according to Pewter Report, and Sean Tucker could pick up additional snaps if he cannot, though Bucky Irving remains the team's primary rushing option. Gainwell had nine carries for 49 yards in the first half, including a 29-yard run, after receiving just two rushing attempts against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. Irving has led Tampa Bay's backfield with 18 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns, while Tucker has managed minus-one yard on his only attempt. With the Buccaneers leading 33-6 at halftime, the lopsided score could influence how Tampa Bay distributes its second-half workload.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Kenny Gainwell is Barely Getting Involved
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has been a non-factor throughout most of the season. This past weekend, Gainwell rushed the ball twice for 17 yards, while hauling in one reception for seven yards. The veteran back hasn't carried the ball more than four times in a game since the season opener. Lead back Bucky Irving is playing well right now, so the Bucs don't have a reason to give Gainwell an extended look. The Bucs haven't really been getting Gainwell into the game plan, and that's unlikely to change against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kenny Gainwell is Avoidable in Week 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell hasn't been a viable fantasy option through the first six games of the regular season. That's unlikely to change against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. This past weekend, Gainwell rushed the ball twice for 17 yards while hauling in his lone target for seven yards. Gainwell has seen four or fewer rushing attempts in five straight games. There hasn't been much of a role for Gainwell in this offense, and that probably won't change with Bucky Irving doing well in the lead back role. Gainwell is worth holding in certain formats, but he's not a recommended starting option ahead of this Week 7 matchup.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Gives High-End RB2 Value for Week 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (illness) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Irving was limited in practice on Thursday, but he will be out there for this must-win divisional contest. Irving is hopeful for better results after struggling to do much of anything during last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He carried the ball 19 times for 46 yards while hauling in two receptions for three yards. The Bucs are without top wideout Emeka Egbuka (foot, concussion), which means they could lean on the run game more than normal. The Panthers' run defense is beatable, so Irving should have a better day on the ground. Fantasy managers should consider Irving a high-end RB2 for this game.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Off the Week 7 Injury Report
After missing Wednesday's practice with an illness and logging a limited participation on Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (illness) returned to a full practice on Friday and carries no injury designation into the team's Week 7 divisional matchup with the Panthers. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) is also expected to play after missing the past two games with an injury to his throwing hand. With Mayfield potentially limited, and the team without top receiver Emeka Egbuka (concussion, foot), who has already been ruled out, Irving could see more work in the passing game than he has with the more mobile rookie Jalon Daniels under center. Against a Panthers defense that has been beatable on the ground, Irving has multiple paths to a standout performance and is RotoBaller's RB12 for Week 7.
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
