RADIO
Baker Mayfield Doesn't Complete a Single Pass in Week 8 Win
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed zero passes on three attempts in a 16-0 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. Josh Dubow of the Associated Press reported it was the first time since 1974 that a quarterback completed zero passes in a victory. Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving scored the team's only touchdown on the day, with kicker Chase McLaughlin adding the remaining points to the scoreboard. Mayfield has now completed just seven passes for 64 yards with one touchdown in two games after he was sidelined in Weeks 4, 5, and 6 with a thumb injury. There was lingering concern that the thumb was still an issue, and now fantasy managers should be wary of playing Mayfield after Sunday's nonexistent performance.
Source: Josh Dubow via X.com
Source: Josh Dubow via X.com
Kenny Gainwell Officially Active Against Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) is officially active for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The 27-year-old was listed as questionable after missing Wednesday's practice, but returned as a limited participant Thursday before logging a full session Friday. Gainwell rushed for a season-high 88 yards on 14 carries in Tampa Bay's 43-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. However, his increased workload came in a blowout, with starter Bucky Irving resting in the fourth quarter after rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Gainwell had recorded just 19 carries through his first six games, making last week's performance an exception to his usual involvement. With Irving firmly established as Tampa Bay's lead back and Sean Tucker also available, Gainwell remains more of a deep-league insurance option than a dependable fantasy starter against Atlanta.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Kenny Gainwell Will Play Against the Falcons in Week 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) is "good to go" for Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Gainwell will suit up for this week's divisional battle despite being listed as questionable. The 27-year-old salvaged his fantasy performance last week with some garbage-time touches, but we don't expect that pattern to continue this week. A projected spread of TB -2.5 indicates that we're in for a close game, which will result in more competitive touches for Bucky Irving and fewer garbage-time opportunities for Gainwell and Sean Tucker. Nevertheless, it's still good news that he'll be active, as he provides additional insurance in a deep backfield behind Irving. He should continue to be stashed as a solid handcuff option in a rushing attack that appears to be trending up.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Kenny Gainwell Not a Reliable Flex Play Against Atlanta
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) accrued some garbage-time fantasy points last week, but we don't expect that to happen again in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. On the injury front, it's worth noting that Gainwell is listed as questionable but expected to play. Last week was the first time this season that Gainwell had more than five carries or more than 20 rushing yards. It was also just his second game with more than 5.8 fantasy points in PPR leagues. For the most part, Gainwell has spent this season in a clear backup role behind workhorse ball-carrier Bucky Irving. We expect that trend to continue in Week 8, with Gainwell's only clear path to production being a positive game script environment in garbage time. For now, the 27-year-old is best viewed as a handcuff, so he's still worth stashing on the bench for fantasy managers who also have Irving on their roster. However, he shouldn't find his way into the starting lineup in leagues with 14 or fewer teams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kenny Gainwell Expected to Play in Week 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (hip) is expected to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Gainwell was originally listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup, but the team has not elevated anyone from the practice squad, suggesting Gainwell will be active. In addition, the 27-year-old was a full participant in the Buccaneers' final practice on Friday. Gainwell enters Week 8 as RotoBaller's PPR RB41 and should be out of fantasy lineups if possible. He's been unable to replicate his fantasy production from his time in Pittsburgh a year ago and has operated as the RB2 behind Bucky Irving. In seven games, Gainwell has surpassed double-digit fantasy points once, and it took a receiving touchdown to do it.
Source: Fox Sports - Greg Auman
Source: Fox Sports - Greg Auman
Cade Otton a Low-End TE2 for Week 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has made a minimal impact on the field lately. Otton has held without a catch during last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. Over the last three games, Otton has been held to four receptions for 29 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. It has been an ugly stretch of play for Otton, but he does draw a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. A defense that has struggled to contain tight ends this season. They've allowed over 60 receiving yards per game to tight ends and currently rank 29th against the pass in general. It's a juicy matchup for Otton, but fantasy managers have little reason to believe he's going to get more involved. He ranks as Rotoballer's TE29 and is a low-end TE2 for this upcoming NFC South matchup.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tez Johnson a Touchdown-Dependent Play for Week 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson was able to find the end zone for the first time this season last week. Johnson was forced into a bigger role with Emeka Egbuka (ankle, concussion) sidelined against the Carolina Panthers. The 24-year-old hauled in both of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in the blowout victory. The expectation is that Johnson will once again see more time on the field this weekend with Egbuka out for the second straight game. The Bucs are expected to pass the ball more in Week 8 against the struggling Atlanta Falcons defense. A unit that currently ranks 29th against the pass coming into this Week 8 contest. Johnson has big-play ability, but he isn't someone that is going to draw a ton of targets. Fantasy managers should view Johnson as a touchdown-dependent option against the Falcons this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ted Hurst III a Risky Flex Play in Week 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ted Hurst III is looking for better results after failing to make an impact during last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. The rookie wideout was only targeted once, but the Bucs only attempted 11 passes throughout the entire game. The rookie wideout has now been blanked in two of the last three games. The hope is that Hurst will have better results against the Atlanta Falcons defense in Week 8. A defensive unit that ranks 29th against the pass coming into this game. The Bucs are without top wideout Emeka Egbuka (ankle, concussion) once again this weekend. Hurst should serve as the No. 2 option in the passing game in a favorable matchup. The 22-year-old could offer deep league flex appeal, but remains a risky choice given he has three total receptions over his last three games.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Godwin Jr. has Flex Appeal for Week 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has been a lousy fantasy option through the first seven weeks of the season. The veteran wideout has been held to under 40 receiving yards in five straight games. The hope was that Godwin's value would increase with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield returning last week. That wasn't the case as Godwin hauled in four of his five targets for 27 receiving yards in the win over the Carolina Panthers. Fantasy managers shouldn't lose all hope yet with Godwin having a juicy matchup in Week 8. He'll draw a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons defense that currently ranks 29th in the league against the pass. It's unclear how much Mayfield's dislocated thumb will play into the Bucs' passing attack. In theory, Godwin should be in line for a decent game with top wideout Emeka Egbuka (ankle, concussion) ruled out once again. There's some flex appeal here with Godwin acting as the top wideout against a struggling pass defense in Week 8.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
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
Baker Mayfield Offers QB2 Value for Week 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is hopeful for better results this weekend after struggling to move the ball through the air last week. In Week 7, Mayfield completed 7-of-11 passing attempts for 64 passing yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions in the win over the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield wore a protective glove on his throwing hand, which might've impacted the Bucs offensive gameplan. The Bucs were dominating on the ground, so they didn't ask Mayfield to do much. The hope is that Mayfield will do more damage through the air against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. A defense that ranks 29th against the pass this season. They've allowed an average of 255.6 passing yards per game and 11 passing touchdowns. The unknown about whether the dislocated thumb is still bothering Mayfield will keep him on the QB2 radar despite a great matchup. He's currently ranked as Rotoballer's QB19 for Week 8.
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
Emeka Egbuka to Be Ruled Out Against Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (concussion/foot) did not practice Friday and will be ruled out for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Egbuka was limited Wednesday and Thursday, even shedding his non-contact jersey during Thursday's session, but he will now miss his second consecutive game. The second-year receiver caught seven of 16 targets for 48 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh in Week 6 before sitting out last week's victory over Carolina. Tez Johnson benefited from his absence, playing a season-high 41 offensive snaps and catching two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. Chris Godwin added four receptions for 27 yards, although Tampa Bay attempted just 11 passes in the lopsided win. Johnson should continue seeing increased playing time, while Godwin remains the more established fantasy option in a receiving corps missing its leading target.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Emeka Egbuka limited in practice again Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (concussion, foot) was officially listed as limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Egbuka did not play in the Week 7 blowout win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but with two limited practices under his belt this week, he is giving himself a chance to return this weekend in another divisional game at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. However, the former first-rounder will probably need a full practice on Friday in order to be cleared from the Week 8 injury report entirely. The big news is that the 24-year-old former Ohio State star shed his non-contact jersey during Thursday's practice, meaning he is making progress from his head and foot injuries this week. Fantasy managers should still consider him questionable to play this weekend, but Egbuka is trending in the right direction. If Egbuka gets cleared by an independent neurologist later this week, he should be thrown back into starting fantasy lineups in Week 8. He has caught 28 of his 49 targets through six games in 2026 for 240 yards and two touchdowns as Tampa's WR1.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
