RADIO
Sean Tucker to be a Game-Time Decision in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles will not disclose running back Sean Tucker's (undisclosed) injury because he does not have to until Wednesday, but he said Tucker will be a game-time decision on Sunday, Sept. 13, for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals as he works his way back, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Tucker was not seen on the practice field on Monday and most likely will not take part in the team's first official practice of the season on Wednesday. The 24-year-old came close to being a training camp casualty with the Bucs looking to save a little money going into the regular season, but they ultimately decided to keep him around as the RB3 behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. As long as both Irving and Gainwell stay healthy, Tucker belongs on the waiver wire in most redraft fantasy football leagues. He is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues right now after the former undrafted free agent from Syracuse had 320 rushing yards and a career-high seven rushing touchdowns on 86 carries in 2025 in his third year in the NFL with Tampa. Tucker added eight receptions for 34 yards and another score as a receiver in 17 games.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Sean Tucker Not Seen at Buccaneers' Practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (undisclosed), who missed time last week with what head coach Todd Bowles described as a minor injury, was not spotted during Monday's practice, according to beat writer Rick Stroud. Following rumors of a potential split from the team, Tucker recently agreed to a pay cut and is again a candidate to see significant goal-line usage after leading the Buccaneers with seven rushing touchdowns in 2025. The Buccaneers open the 2026 season with a road game against the Bengals, and with the first official injury report of the season set for release on Wednesday, Tucker's status will need to be monitored, as, to this point, the nature of his injury has not been disclosed.
Source: Rick Stroud
Source: Rick Stroud
Kenny Gainwell Could See Larger Workload
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell was brought in to be additional depth in the backfield this upcoming season. The Bucs have Bucky Irving as their lead back, but that doesn't mean that Gainwell won't be involved. Gainwell received a two-year, $14 million deal from the Bucs this past offseason. He'll likely fill the pass-catching role in the backfield similar to what Rachaad White did the past few years. Given the injuries the Bucs are facing right now, Gainwell might be asked to do more than expected early in the season. Both Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) are banged up heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs could lean on Gainwell more as a receiving option if the Bucs are limited early in the year. The 27-year-old is looking like an intriguing PPR option heading into Week 1.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving a Bounce-Back Candidate with Clean Bill of Health
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is primed to bounce back in fantasy football now that he's fully healthy for the 2026 season. Irving missed a whopping seven games in his second pro season last year, which resulted in him falling to RB34 with just 865 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns. For context, he had been the RB13 the year prior. Irving is now fully healthy again, giving him a good chance to push for a top-12 finish in fantasy football at the running back position. There are certainly some other mouths to feed here, but as far as the backfield goes, Irving has pretty clearly solidified himself over Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker. In fact, the presence of those two other backs could allow the Bucs to manage Irving's workload. Sure, that might lower his ceiling slightly, but it will also reduce injury risk and increase the chance of him playing all 17 games. As it stands, Irving ranks as the RB19 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings. He has an ADP of 52.7, which corresponds to the fifth round of fantasy drafts and makes him the 22nd running back off the board.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sean Tucker Misses Wednesday's Practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (undisclosed) did not practice Wednesday, according to Greg Auman. No reason for the absence was immediately provided. Tucker made Tampa Bay's initial 53-man roster after beating out Josh Williams for the final spot in the backfield and is currently listed third behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. The fourth-year back appeared in all 17 games last season, carrying 86 times for 320 yards and seven touchdowns while adding eight catches for 34 yards and another score. His eight scrimmage touchdowns led the Buccaneers in 2025. There is not enough information yet to know whether Wednesday's absence is anything to worry about. Tucker's status at the next practice should give a better idea of what is going on. UPDATE: Head coach Todd Bowles said Tucker is dealing with a minor injury.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Bucky Irving Could Lose Goal-Line Touches
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving could be in danger of losing touches with the news on Sunday. The Bucs have decided to cut Josh Williams and keep Sean Tucker on their 53-man roster. Tucker figures to serve as the third back behind Kenneth Gainwell, with Irving being the starter. Normally, Tucker's presence doesn't mean much outside of his one monster game per season. However, the Bucs tend to trust Tucker the most out of their backs in goal-line situations. His work in the red zone could be why the Bucs decided to keep him around. His presence will likely be a thorn in the side of Irving, but the 24-year-old should still offer RB2 value as the lead back in Tampa Bay.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Sean Tucker Makes 53-Man Roster
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker has made the 53-man roster, according to Jenna Laine. Tucker was on the roster bubble, but the Bucs decided to keep him and his $3.5 million salary for the upcoming season. Instead, the Bucs have cut running back Josh Williams, which leaves Tucker as the third back in Tampa Bay. The 24-year-old is unlikely to have a huge role behind Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. It seems that Tucker is good for one epic game per season to get fantasy managers hyped, but then he fails to capitalize on it. He remains a stash in dynasty formats, as he could be one injury away from getting consistent touches in the backfield. UPDATE: Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Tucker agreed to a new one-year deal with the Bucs on Sunday that includes $2.5 million guaranteed.
Source: Jenna Laine
Source: Jenna Laine
Kenny Gainwell Could Lead Buccaneers in All-Purpose Yards
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell could lead the team in all-purpose yards this season, according to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report. That sounds like a bold call with Bucky Irving still expected to lead the backfield, but Gainwell did exactly that for Pittsburgh last year. He finished 2025 with 1,656 all-purpose yards, piling up 537 on the ground, 486 as a receiver and another 633 on kickoff returns. Gainwell has carried that versatility into Tampa Bay. He has been used heavily as a receiver during camp, including in two-back packages with Irving, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has praised his ability to handle just about anything the offense asks of him. Irving should still get most of the carries, and Tampa Bay has not named Gainwell its primary kick returner. Reynolds' projection is aggressive, but Gainwell's receiving role and history of producing yards in several different ways give him a real path to making it happen.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Kenny Gainwell has a Path to More PPR Upside
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell enters his first year with the team in 2026 after signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the team in free agency. The 27-year-old saw career highs across the board last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, carrying the ball 114 times for 537 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. What was most surprising, though, were his 73 receptions on 85 targets for 486 yards and three more scores as a pass-catcher. Gainwell will essentially be replacing Rachaad White in Tampa as a pass-catching specialist, albeit in a completely new offense under coordinator Zac Robinson. The speculation that third-string RB Sean Tucker will be cut before the start of the regular season could boost Gainwell's fantasy ceiling and his floor, with the vast majority of backfield touches going to Gainwell and Bucky Irving. And if Irving were to miss more time with an injury in 2026, Gainwell would have the highest ceiling of his NFL career as the Bucs' primary back. Tucker potentially being waived makes Gainwell an even more attractive RB3/flex with upside in PPR fantasy formats.
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Bucky Irving Might Not Have Much Competition on Early Downs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is coming off a down 2025 season in which he played in just 10 games due to multiple injuries, ultimately finishing with 588 rushing yards and only one rushing touchdown on 173 carries in his second year in the NFL. Irving impressed with 1,122 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground on 207 rushing attempts as a rookie, adding 47 catches for 392 yards through the air. Rachaad White moved on in free agency in the offseason, but the Bucs added pass-catching specialist Kenny Gainwell, who will no doubt cut into key pass-game targets for the third-year back in 2026. The good news for Irving is that it is looking more likely that No. 3 RB Sean Tucker will not make the 53-man roster as the team looks to trim salary. If Tucker isn't on the roster for Week 1, it should only increase Irving's early-down volume out of Tampa's backfield. And even though Gainwell will have a key role in this new offense, Irving could have a clear path back to a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2026 if he stays healthy. His case as an RB2 with upside is looking better in fantasy football.
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Sean Tucker Not Projected to Make 53-Man Roster
Josh Queipo of Pewter Report does not project Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker to make the final 53-man roster out of training camp. The Bucs initially opted not to tender him as a restricted free agent in the offseason, but they eventually signed him to a $3.52 million deal for 2026. Even though none of the salary would be guaranteed, it's a high price tag for a player with 151 carries, 651 yards (4.3 yards per carry), and nine touchdowns in his three seasons in the league. Tampa could feel that they are covered between Josh Williams at RB and Kam Johnson as a kick returner behind Bucky Irving and newcomer Kenny Gainwell. Ultimately, the Buccaneers could opt to go cheaper to fill the RB3 role in order to save money for a roster spot elsewhere to begin the 2026 season. Tucker had a career-high 86 carries for 320 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games last year, with Irving missing time due to multiple injuries. He has shown flashes of upside in Tampa, but he is firmly on the roster bubble. It is good news for Irving's overall fantasy upside this year.
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Baker Mayfield Criticizes Buccaneers' Physicality After Joint Practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was not happy with the team's effort in Tuesday's joint practice against the Jacksonville Jaguars and said that if it were a full game, he doesn't think the Bucs would have come out on top, according to Pewter Report. Mayfield called the session "eye-opening" and said that he thought they were "out-physicaled." It is not exactly what Buccaneers fans want to hear, but it is also the preseason, so there is still some time left for the team to work on their weaknesses. The 31-year-old signal-caller was banged up for much of last year but played through nagging injuries, finishing with 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts after throwing for over 4,000 yards in his first two years in Tampa in 2023 and 2024. His fantasy stock is down following the step back in 2025, and he is heading into a contract year in 2026 in a new offense and without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans. We are not counting Mayfield out by any means, but in fantasy, he is not much more than a low-end QB2 target in superflex leagues.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Kenny Gainwell Could Lead Tampa Bay in Receptions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell had an excellent training camp and is set up for a big role in the team's offense. Gainwell could even lead the team in receptions, according to Greg Auman, since he has been working so well as a receiving back out of the backfield this preseason. Gainwell will be working in a timeshare with Bucky Irving, with both backs as effective options as pass-catchers in space. Gainwell had 73 catches for 486 yards and three scores in 2025 with the Steelers, but he could be even more involved in Tampa, depending on how the timeshare shakes out. Right now, Gainwell is the RB38 in RotoBaller's rankings, but he could be a great RB3 or flex option if he gets more work in the offense, especially near the goal line. Gainwell and Irving are both volatile options with lots of upside to consider in fantasy drafts, since their roles are unclear despite obvious upside from each side of the timeshare.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Sean Tucker on the Roster Bubble?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker has had some fantasy football bursts in the past when given an opportunity, but now he may not be assured of a roster spot. The fourth-year running back out of Syracuse is battling with Josh Williams for the third spot on the running back depth chart behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. Williams made a strong impression with eight carries for 27 yards and a touchdown in the first preseason game against the Jets, and he played ahead of Tucker in the second preseason game. Tucker did make an impact with 23 yards on five carries and the game-winning touchdown once he entered, but both running backs continued to look strong. Williams is a much cheaper option, which could give him the advantage if the Bucs only keep three running backs on the roster. Tucker and Williams have both shown enough to get a chance somewhere this season, and the Bucs could possibly still keep both on the roster. If not, where they land would dictate their potential fantasy value. The Bucs' backfield will remain one of the top roster battles to watch through the rest of the preseason.
Source: Matt Matera
Source: Matt Matera
Sean Tucker a Potential Salary-Cap Casualty
FOX Sports' Greg Auman writes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker could be a salary-cap casualty. The Bucs played Josh Williams ahead of Tucker in their second preseason game on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, and there is a chance they are lukewarm to paying Tucker $3.52 million to be their RB3 or RB4 in 2026. Auman adds that it was surprising when Tampa gave Tucker a full restricted free-agent tender back in March instead of trying to bring him back on a lesser deal. He could be cut next weekend, with the Bucs either moving on entirely or trying to bring him back for less money. Williams, an undrafted rookie last year who served a six-game suspension, would be in line for RB3 duties if Tucker is cut entirely and not re-signed. The 24-year-old Tucker has had his moments in his three seasons with the Bucs, including scoring a career-high seven rushing touchdowns on 86 rushing attempts in 17 games last year. Getting cut and landing with a new organization might be Tucker's best path to fantasy relevance in 2026 and beyond.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
