RADIO
Chase McLaughlin Will Kick on Thursday Against Dallas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Chase McLaughlin (groin, hip) will kick on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Todd Bowles told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. McLaughlin popped up on the Week 5 injury report with groin and hip injuries on Tuesday and did not practice with the rest of the team, but he is apparently fine and is not dealing with a significant injury. He has been a top-10 fantasy kicker through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, making all nine of his field-goal attempts and all seven of his extra-point opportunities for the winless Bucs. The problem with McLaughlin's short-term fantasy appeal is that it will not be nearly as high with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) on the sidelines and undrafted rookie signal-caller Jalon Daniels making his second career start this week in Dallas. In the first game without Mayfield this past Sunday in the loss to the Green Bay Packers, McLaughlin only managed to put up two points for his fantasy managers, and he will have another low ceiling against the Cowboys this week. Fantasy managers are better off looking for better upside options at the position.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Chase McLaughlin Misses Practice With Groin/Hip Injuries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin (groin, hip) was added to the Week 5 injury report on Tuesday after missing practice due to groin and hip injuries, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. It is unclear how serious McLaughlin's injury is, but especially on a short week, a mid-week downgrade is not a good sign. The Buccaneers play the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 5 action. If the 30-year-old veteran's injury is serious enough to keep him from kicking this week, the Buccaneers will likely make a move to add a kicker quickly. McLaughlin has been a top-10 fantasy kicker through the first four weeks, but he was limited to just two points in the Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the first game without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb). McLaughlin's short-term fantasy value has taken a big hit with Mayfield injured, and he is expected to miss at least two more games. Fantasy managers should be looking elsewhere at the kicker position, even if McLaughlin is able to play on Thursday.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Chase McLaughlin Offers Strong Streaming Value in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin is attempting to kick his way into an extension this season. The 30-year-old is entering a contract year after spending each of the last three seasons in Tampa Bay. The past two seasons, McLaughlin has finished as a top-10 player at his position. Last year, McLaughlin struggled a bit more than in past seasons, connecting on 32-of-38 field goal attempts. He only missed one extra point attempt in 2025. McLaughlin has been a mostly reliable kicker, and the Bucs have a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 1. The expectation is that this will be a high-scoring game, which should result in plenty of work for McLaughlin. Fantasy managers who are seeking a streaming option for Week 1 should consider adding McLaughlin.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chase McLaughlin has Plenty of Motivation Going into Contract Year
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin has had a strong run in his three seasons with the Bucs, but he'll likely be kicking for his job in a contract year in 2026, according to Logan Robinson and River Wells of Sports Illustrated. McLaughlin has made 90.1% of his 101 field-goal attempts (26-for-30 from 50-plus yards) while connecting on 97.5% of his 122 extra-point attempts in 51 regular-season games in the last three years in Tampa. However, the 30-year-old former undrafted free agent out of the University of Illinois made only 84.2% of his 38 field-goal tries (11-for-12 from 50-plus yards) in 17 games last year, which was his worst field-goal percentage of his Bucs tenure. In his defense, blocked kicks and special teams woes were partly to blame in 2025. If McLaughlin bounces back in 2026, he should be paid as one of the top kickers in the league. But if he struggles, he could be cut midway through the season. In a new offense this year, McLaughlin should be viewed as a fringy starter at the position in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Logan Robinson, River Wells
Source: Sports Illustrated - Logan Robinson, River Wells
