RADIO
Bucky Irving Back at Practice After Wednesday's Absence
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (illness) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. His return is an encouraging development ahead of Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, especially after an illness hit several Tampa Bay players earlier in the week. Irving has handled 96 carries for 452 yards and two touchdowns through six games and holds a substantial advantage in the backfield workload. He got 19 carries and three targets in Sunday's overtime loss to Pittsburgh, while Kenneth Gainwell managed just two rushing attempts and one target. Sean Tucker (quadriceps), who missed that contest, was a full participant Wednesday and could rejoin the rotation against Carolina. Irving's precise Thursday participation level hasn't been confirmed yet. Update - Irving practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday.
Source: Rick Stroud
Source: Rick Stroud
Bucky Irving Sidelined by Illness Wednesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (illness) did not participate in Wednesday's practice as the team prepares to face Carolina in Week 7. The third-year back has handled 40 carries over his past two appearances, although his production varied dramatically between games. After rushing for a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown against Dallas in Week 5, Irving managed just 46 yards on 19 attempts in Sunday's overtime loss to Pittsburgh. His latest absence is attributed to an illness and not the glute injury that limited him in practice earlier this month. Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker would be candidates for more work if Irving can't play, but the illness hasn't yet led to a game-status designation. Irving's substantial workload remains intact when he's healthy.
Source: Scott Smith
Source: Scott Smith
Bucky Irving Highly Inefficient in Week 6 Loss
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving rushed for 46 yards on 19 carries during Sunday's Week 6 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also caught two of his three targets for three receiving yards. Irving saw large volume once again, but he was highly inefficient with just 2.4 rushing yards per carry. The 24-year-old now has fewer than 8.0 fantasy points in three of his last four games, giving him a low floor going forward. The biggest factor for Irving has been quarterback play; while Jalon Daniels has looked fine, it's easy for defenses to predict when the Bucs are going to run, which makes it difficult for Irving to break off big plays. Baker Mayfield (thumb) has a chance to return in Week 7, which would help Irving get back into the high-end RB2 tier against the Carolina Panthers. If Daniels remains the starter, however, Irving would fall to the fringe top-24 range.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sean Tucker Inactive for Week 6 Against Steelers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Tucker was listed as questionable after missing Wednesday's practice and participating on a limited basis Thursday and Friday. The Buccaneers elevated Josh Williams from the practice squad on Saturday to provide additional backfield depth behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. Tucker has recorded eight carries for 28 yards and one touchdown this season, including five attempts for 18 yards against Dallas in Week 5. His absence removes a potential short-yardage option from Tampa Bay's rotation, although his limited workload suggests the fantasy impact should be modest. Irving remains the team's primary rushing option, while Gainwell could pick up some additional work against Pittsburgh.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Kenny Gainwell is Barely on Flex Radar
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell continues to make a minimal impact on offense. Last week, Gainwell rushed the ball four times for 18 yards, while hauling in three receptions for 10 additional yards through the air during the win over the Dallas Cowboys. The expectation is that Gainwell is only going to see a handful of carries each week, with Bucky Irving having a lot of success as the lead back. He'll look to find more success against his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Week 6. Gainwell has given fantasy managers no reason to trust him thus far. He'll be a desperation flex option in deep leagues for this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Has RB1 Upside for Week 6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is coming off his best performance of the season. Irving rushed for a season-high 165 yards on 21 attempts with a touchdown during last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys. He also hauled in two of his three targets for 10 yards and another score. The Bucs have been leaning on Irving lately with quarterback Jalon Daniels under center during the last two games. The expectation is that Irving will continue seeing a heavy workload during the upcoming Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A defensive unit that has allowed the 13th-fewest rushing yards in the league. Irving should be considered a borderline RB1 for this upcoming home matchup against the Steelers.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Sean Tucker Returns to Practice Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (quadriceps) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session, according to Pewter Report. Tucker's participation level has not yet been confirmed, but his return is an encouraging development ahead of Sunday's Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 24-year-old has handled just eight carries for 28 yards and one touchdown across four appearances this season, although his opportunities have increased recently. He scored on a two-yard run against Green Bay in Week 4 before recording five carries for 18 yards in last Thursday's victory over Dallas. Head coach Todd Bowles has discussed finding ways to involve all three running backs, with Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell also factoring into the rotation. Irving is coming off a dominant performance against Dallas, rushing for 165 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Tucker could continue receiving occasional short-yardage opportunities, but his limited overall workload makes him a difficult fantasy option to trust. His status for Sunday should become clearer when Tampa Bay releases its updated injury report.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Bucky Irving in Complete Control of Lead-Back Role
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has full control over the No. 1 role in the backfield through the first five weeks of the season, and we don't expect that to change anytime soon. Irving is coming off his best game of the year, in which he totaled 175 scrimmage yards and two total touchdowns. Even with Kenny Gainwell, Sean Tucker, and Jalon Daniel all pushing to earn rushing attempts, Irving has shown no signs of relinquishing his lead-back role. After all, he had 23 touches last week. After missing seven games last year and finishing as the RB34 in PPR leagues, it certainly appears as though Irving is in the midst of a significant bounce-back campaign. We'll look for him to keep up that momentum heading into Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the 13th-fewest rushing yards per game in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sean Tucker's Role Remains Uncertain
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker isn't necessarily headed for more touches despite head coach Todd Bowles expressing interest in getting him more involved earlier this week. Asked Friday whether Tucker would see more work, Bowles said the backfield distribution will depend on who has the hot hand and could vary from game to game, according to Pewter Report. Tucker carried five times for 18 yards in Thursday's win over Dallas, including an unsuccessful fourth-and-goal attempt from the 1-yard line. He scored his first touchdown of the season against Green Bay just four days earlier, although he had only three carries in that game. Bucky Irving was the clear standout Thursday, rushing for 165 yards and a touchdown on 21 attempts while adding another score through the air. Bowles acknowledged there wasn't much reason to take Irving off the field while he was playing so well. Tucker has just eight carries through five games, making him difficult to trust in fantasy lineups without a more consistent role.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Bucky Irving's Fantasy Stock Skyrocketing After Monster Outing In Win
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving channeled his inner rookie season in his team's stunning Week 5 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. The third-year pro rushed 21 times for 165 yards and one touchdown and caught two of three targets for 10 yards and another score. He gashed the hapless Cowboys defense multiple times, including on a special rush in which he juked multiple defenders to break through the defensive line and ran down the sideline for a huge explosive play. Irving dominated backfield touches for his team, with no other Bucs RB handling more than five carries, which is excellent news for his fantasy value moving forward. He appears to have put any injury concerns behind him and slammed the door shut on any ideas of a committee backfield moving forward. Dallas' defense is one of the worst in the NFL, and that certainly contributed to Irving's big night, but he made a strong case to be a workhorse RB1 moving forward. A Week 6 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers looms -- they have a middling run defense, which should allow Irving to have another solid outing. He's pushed back into low-end RB1 territory for now.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kenny Gainwell Could Offer Deep-League Flex Value
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell was able to find the end zone for the first time during last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Gainwell hasn't seen as much attention in the offense as fantasy managers expected coming into the season. Last week, Gainwell carried the ball three times for five yards, while hauling in two receptions for 22 yards and one touchdown in the loss. It has been a down year for Gainwell, but he heads into a plus-matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. A defense that has struggled to contain both the passing and running game. Gainwell hasn't given fantasy managers many reasons to have faith in him, but he could be a flex option in deep leagues for this favorable matchup in Dallas.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Offers RB2 Upside
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has failed to give fantasy managers much value over the last two weeks. Irving has been less effective on the ground lately, but that'll hopefully change in Week 5. The 24-year-old draws a juicy matchup against the Dallas Cowboys defense on Thursday. A defensive unit that has allowed four rushing touchdowns and nearly 100 rushing yards per game through its first four contests. The absence of Baker Mayfield (thumb) could mean that the Bucs try to pound the ball on the ground with Jalon Daniels under center. Irving has seen 15 or more carries in three of the first four games this season. He'll offer RB2 upside for the Thursday Night matchup in Dallas.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Sean Tucker A Deep-League Waiver Add, Should Be More Involved In Offense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker got his first touches of the 2026 NFL Season in Week 4, when he carried the ball three times for 10 yards and a touchdown. He only played five percent of his team's offensive snaps, and is still clearly the RB3 behind RB1 Bucky Irving and RB2 Kenneth Gainwell. Tucker likely won't carve out a significant standalone role for himself any time soon, as Tampa Bay has had him for years and still opted to sign Gainwell, who played for the Steelers last season. However, an injury to Irving would probably result in Tucker handling the majority of the team's carries. Gainwell is a pass-catching specialist with a nice pass-blocking acumen, but has never been a team's primary rusher aside from in cases of injury. Tucker's PPR upside will likely always be capped by his lack of pass-catching pedigree and Gainwell's talent in that area even in case of an Irving injury. In standard leagues and deep leagues, though, it's encouraging to see that Tucker hasn't been completely phased out of the offense, and that he's likely the next man up on early downs if Irving gets hurt. Tucker is also the heaviest back of the three, so more goal-line touches may be in the near future for him.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bucs Looking to Get Sean Tucker, Kenny Gainwell More Involved
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that the flow of the game and long downs have prevented running back Sean Tucker from getting snaps sometimes, but he said that the offense needs to find ways to get Tucker and Kenny Gainwell more carries, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. It would be bad news for Bucky Irving's fantasy managers if both Tucker and Gainwell find more touches in Tampa's backfield. In the 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 on Sunday, Tucker played only three offensive snaps, carrying the ball three times for 10 yards. Gainwell, meanwhile, played 42% of the snaps and had three carries for five yards while catching both of his targets for 22 yards and a receiving touchdown. Irving led the backfield with a 58% snap share and a team-high 16 rushing attempts for 61 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. As long as Irving remains healthy, he will continue to see most of the early-down work for the Bucs, with Tucker and Gainwell battling for change-of-pace duties as the Buccaneers look for their first win of the season to kick off Week 5 on Thursday night on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
Source: Bucs Gameday - River Wells
Source: Bucs Gameday - River Wells
Bucky Irving a Solid RB2 Option in Week 4
After being limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (glute) logged a full practice on Friday and will play in his team's Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Irving has gotten off to a solid start to the 2026 season, recording 241 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 53 touches across three games. The Bucs offense has question marks heading into Week 4, as rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels will take over under center for injured signal-caller Baker Mayfield (thumb). However, the Green Bay defense has had major issues against the run so far this season, ranking 28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (416) through three weeks. With the unproven Daniels at quarterback, Tampa Bay could look to lean on Irving as both a runner and a short-area receiver. Now that he's officially active, Irving profiles as a low-end RB2 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
