RADIO
Bucky Irving Off Injury Report for Week 4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (glute) is off the final injury report and has no game designation for Sunday's matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Irving was limited Wednesday and Thursday after the injury became an issue coming out of last week's game against Minnesota, but he was back on the field Friday and appeared to be moving without trouble during the portion open to reporters. He has 40 carries for 180 yards and one touchdown through three games, along with 13 catches for 61 yards. RotoBaller has Irving at RB19 for Week 4. The glute injury was worth monitoring after two limited practices to begin the week, but the absence of a final designation means fantasy managers can plan on having Irving available Sunday.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Kenny Gainwell is Risky Flex Option
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell hasn't experienced much success in his new offense. Through three games, Gainwell has carried the ball 10 times for 21 yards, while hauling in six receptions for 22 yards through the air. Bucs' offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has stated that they want to get Gainwell more involved. It remains to be seen how Gainwell will perform with backup quarterback Jalon Daniels under center. Gainwell could factor more into the gameplan with Daniels under center and the team likely doing more short routes and screens. The 27-year-old should be viewed as a low-end flex option for the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving moving well at Friday practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (glute) was on the field Friday and appeared to be moving well during the portion of practice open to reporters. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times noted that Irving was working without any obvious issues, an encouraging sign after he was limited Wednesday and Thursday. The injury is worth watching because Irving missed Tampa Bay's final two possessions in last week's loss to Minnesota, although he still finished that game with 15 carries for 46 yards and two catches for 12 yards. Friday's official practice designation will matter more than the early observation, but the trend is moving in the right direction ahead of Sunday's matchup with Green Bay. Irving has 180 rushing yards and 13 receptions through three games and sits at RB19 in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings. If he avoids a setback and is cleared, he should remain in fantasy lineups.
Source: Rick Stroud
Source: Rick Stroud
Buccaneers Want to Get the Ball Into Sean Tucker's Hands
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker missed the season opener with a hamstring injury and has taken only one offensive snap in the two games he's been active, but offensive coordinator Zac Robinson told reporters Thursday that he'd like to get his third-string back more involved. "100%, we've got to get Tuck going," he told the assembled media. "He is special with the ball in his hands, as you guys have seen from his time here. That's on us as coaches to find spots to mix him in." Robinson shared similar messaging about Kenny Gainwell's lack of involvement early in the year, sharing that the flow of the first three games has led to a larger snap share for Bucky Irving. Tucker is a name for fantasy managers to keep on the radar moving forward, but until Robinson backs his words up with actions, he is not yet a player who needs to be rostered, particularly with undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels in line to start at least the next three games with Baker Mayfield (thumb) sidelined by a dislocated thumb.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Buccaneers Want to Get Kenny Gainwell More Involved
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has seen just a 42.4% snap share in his first three games since joining the team on a two-year free agent deal, but offensive coordinator Zac Robinson told the media Thursday that he wants to get the veteran more involved. This line of thinking matches Robinson's early-season messaging of keeping Bucky Irving on a pitch count, but Robinson shared that the flow of the game has dictated a larger share of running back reps for Irving. With quarterback Baker Mayfield expected to miss at least three weeks after dislocating his right thumb in a Week 3 loss to the Vikings, Robinson could lean on more underneath passing to aid undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, and having caught the fourth most passes of all running backs in 2025, Gainwell could factor heavily into such a game plan. After earning a season-high five targets in Week 3, Gainwell is RotoBaller's RB45 ahead of a Week 4 matchup with the Packers.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Bucky Irving Limited With Glute Injury on Wednesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (glute) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday due to a glute injury, according to the team's official website. Irving missed the team's last two offensive drives in Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and now we know why. Despite head coach Todd Bowles saying that Irving would not be on this week's injury report, the team held him out of a full practice on Wednesday. The Buccaneers do not seem too concerned with the 24-year-old's status, though, so he should be available this weekend as the Bucs look for their first win of the year against the visiting Green Bay Packers at home. If Irving is limited at all against Green Bay, though, pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell could finally see more involvement on offense. Even though Irving should play against the Packers, his weekly fantasy upside will take a big hit with quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) out. Through the first three games, Irving has averaged 4.5 yards per carry for 180 rushing yards and a touchdown on 40 carries, adding 13 receptions for 61 yards through the air as the team's preferred RB1.
Source: Buccaneers.com
Source: Buccaneers.com
Bucky Irving Not Injured Coming Out of Week 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that running back Bucky Irving, who did not play much on the team's final drive on Sunday in another loss to the Minnesota Vikings, is not injured and is not on the injury report, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. The 24-year-old was kept on the sideline for a long stretch to close out Sunday's contest, leading many to speculate that he was hurt. Fortunately for Irving's fantasy managers, he is not dealing with any physical ailments. Irving saw 15 carries and ran for 46 yards (3.1 yards per carry) while catching two of his four targets for 12 yards in the passing game in the 23-16 loss to the Vikings. Quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb late on Sunday and is going to miss time, so both Irving and Kenny Gainwell could be leaned on more, starting in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels now in line to start for at least the next game. Through three games in 2026, Irving has 180 rushing yards and one touchdown while catching 13 passes for 61 yards in a Bucs offense that has yet to truly find its groove under new coordinator Zac Robinson.
Source: Bucs Gameday - River Wells
Source: Bucs Gameday - River Wells
Kenny Gainwell Could Benefit from Backfield Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell could be a solid waiver-wire option if Bucky Irving (undisclosed) is injured and misses time. Gainwell had three carries for -4 yards and added two receptions for 14 yards in the 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Despite his struggles, Irving did not see the field in the final 10 minutes of the game and had a wrap around his midsection as he watched from the sideline. If he misses time with this undisclosed injury, Gainwell and Sean Tucker would be the primary beneficiaries. Tucker has yet to record a stat this season and has played only one snap in two games, while Gainwell has played 42% of the snaps in three games. The Buccaneers could be without quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb), but despite that, their offensive struggles, and Gainwell's inefficiency, he should be monitored if Irving does not practice this week.
Source: Steve Hoikkala
Source: Steve Hoikkala
Bucky Irving Leaves Game in Fourth Quarter, Misses Final 10 Minutes
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (undisclosed) struggled to find success on the ground during Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. He carried the ball 15 times for 46 yards, while hauling in two receptions for an additional 12 yards through the air. It was a disappointing day for Irving, who was possibly injured in the fourth quarter. The third-year back didn't play and was seen standing on the sideline during the final 10 minutes of Sunday's loss. The organization hasn't said anything about an injury, but Irving sitting out in a one-score game during the final quarter is strange. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates on his status ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Source: Steve Hoikkala
Source: Steve Hoikkala
Kenny Gainwell Offers Low-End Flex Appeal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is off to a slow start with his new team. Through two games, Gainwell has rushed for 25 yards on seven carries, while hauling in four passes for an additional eight yards. Fantasy managers expected much more from Gainwell, who caught a career-high 73 passes with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. His value could be on the rise with Bucs' offensive coordinator Zac Robinson saying the team wants to have lead back Bucky Irving on a pitch count. It's tough to imagine Gainwell offering a ton of upside against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 3. He could be a flex option in PPR formats, but most fantasy managers can probably leave him on the bench right now.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Sits in RB2 Range for Week 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has been impressive on the ground over the first two games of the season. He rushed for 89 yards last week on 17 carries in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect that to happen every week with Bucs' offensive coordinator Zac Robinson saying Irving will be on a pitch count. It sounds like the Bucs are going to try to limit Irving in an attempt to keep him healthy all season long. The loss of touches is going to impact his value, and he gets a tough matchup in Week 3. He'll be running against a Minnesota Vikings defense that hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown this season. His overall ceiling might be limited, but Irving should still offer RB2 value.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Facing a Potential Pitch Count
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has arguably been the team's most dynamic offensive player through the first two weeks of the season, but offensive coordinator Zac Robinson told reporters on Thursday that the third-year back "is on a bit of a pitch count due to the longevity of the season." Robinson also said the team wants to ride the hot hand, which, so far, has clearly been Irving. The Buccaneers added veteran Kenny Gainwell on a two-year, $14 million free agent contract, but through two weeks, Irving has handled over 78% of the team's running back rush share while running 18 more routes and earning more than twice as many targets. Irving is the fantasy RB15 through two weeks, and while his success has depended largely on his heavy usage in an offense that ranks near the middle of the league in terms of efficiency and results, fantasy managers can continue to feel good about starting him until the team's actions match Robinson's messaging.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Kenny Gainwell has Been a Bust Through Two Weeks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has not had the type of impact with his new team that fantasy managers who drafted him thought he would have through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. In losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Gainwell has only seven rushing attempts for 25 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and has caught four of five targets for eight yards through the air in new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's scheme. The 27-year-old caught a whopping 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games last year in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers with quarterback Aaron Rodgers checking down to him more often than not. There is still time for Gainwell to get more involved in Tampa, but his slow start is a reminder that he is not in Pittsburgh anymore. The Bucs could look to get Gainwell more involved as a pass-catcher as they search for their first win in Week 3 against the visiting Minnesota Vikings, but he has quickly fallen out of favor in fantasy leagues and should be considered a volatile RB3/flex in PPR formats this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Continues to see Role Grow
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was once again excellent on the ground for the second straight week. On Sunday, Irving carried the ball 17 times for 89 yards, while hauling in four receptions for one yard in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. Irving is clearly the workhorse back after seeing 17 carries in the backfield. He has been averaging over five yards per carry, so the Bucs are going to continue riding with Irving. As long as he continues to succeed, Irving should see his role continue to grow in this offense. He'll get a tough matchup against the Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 3. Fantasy managers should still plug him in as a RB2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Sean Tucker Active in Week 2 Against Browns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (hamstring), who sat out of the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals due to a hamstring issue, is active on Sunday in the Week 2 tilt at home against the visiting Cleveland Browns, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Tucker, a former undrafted free agent from Syracuse, was on the roster bubble at the tail end of training camp before signing a new deal with the team to stick around as the RB3 this year behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. The 24-year-old might steal a couple of backfield touches from Irving and Gainwell, but he absolutely should not be in any starting fantasy lineups, even in the deepest of formats. With Irving missing time in 2025 due to various injuries, Tucker had a career-high 86 rushing attempts for 320 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns, adding eight receptions for 34 yards and another score in 17 games played.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
