Fantasy Football News

ESPN's Jenna Laine delivered her roster projection for the Buccaneers on Monday, and that appears to include RB Bucky Irving maintaining a lead over new No. 2 RB Kenneth Gainwell.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving endured a rough second season in 2025, losing seven games to a shoulder injury that eventually required offseason surgery. And when he did take the field, Irving saw his rushing efficiency and goal-line opportunities fall off. He slid from 5.4 yards per carry in 2024 to just 3.4 last season, while his rushing-success rate fell from 55.1% (sixth among qualifying RBs) to 41.6% (46th among 48 qualifiers). Tampa also gave Irving no carries inside the 5-yard line, splitting nine such opportunities between Sean Tucker (seven) and Rachaad White (two) in the 10 games Irving played. But there's reason for optimism in Year 3.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving has no restrictions as camp opens, HC Todd Bowles said. Irving missed most of the offseason program after February shoulder surgery but got back on the field for June minicamp. He's on track to be full-go for the start of the season.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving practiced on Thursday for the first time this offseason, according to Pewter Report. He's been working back from February shoulder surgery, and HC Todd Bowles sounded alarms in late May when he suggested that Irving could be in danger of missing the start of the season. But Irving practicing in June -- without a non-contact jersey -- is a good sign.

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles might have let it slip that RB Bucky Irving is in danger of missing the start of the season. "We expect him sometime back in the summer or the fall," Bowles said Tuesday. What looked like a relatively harmless shoulder surgery in February now carries legit Week 1 downside for fantasy drafters.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving isn’t cleared for football action yet after postseason shoulder surgery, according to Pewter Report.

The Buccaneers have placed the restricted free agent tender on RB Sean Tucker, according to The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported last week that the Bucs would not use the tender on Tucker, which would have sent him to the open market. But Tampa is now set to pay Tucker $3.52 million on a one-year deal. Tucker can still negotiate with other teams, but the Bucs would have the right to match any offer.

Tampa Bay has agreed to a two-year deal with RB Kenneth Gainwell that will pay $14 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gainwell spent 2025 with the Steelers after arriving on a mere one-year, $1.79 million pact. That followed four seasons with the Eagles, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2021.

The Buccaneers will not place the restricted tender on RB Sean Tucker, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. That'll make Tucker a free agent when the new year league starts next week. It's a slightly surprising move considering the tender would have paid Tucker a reasonable $3.52 million on a one-year deal. But the Buccaneers have never seemed to like him as much as many in the fantasy community.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving underwent offseason shoulder surgery, according to multiple reports. We don't have any other details on the procedure, but JoeBucsFan.com reports that rehab is not expected to "significantly impact" Irving's offseason. Pewter Report hears that he should be ready to get back on the field by May.

The Buccaneers are hiring Zac Robinson as their new OC, "with a big push" from QB Baker Mayfield, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Mayfield worked with Robinson during his six-week stint with the Rams in 2022. Robinson spent five seasons working under Sean McVay in Los Angeles before serving as Falcons OC for the last two. Atlanta ranked sixth in yards and 13th in points in Robinson's debut, before falling to 14th in yards and 24th in points this past year. Both of Robinson's Falcons offenses ranked higher in rush attempts than pass attempts. Expect him to bring a balanced attack to Tampa Bay. Considering Mayfield's hand in the hiring, though, consider the move good news for the QB's chances of a bounce-back 2026.

The Buccaneers have fired OC Josh Grizzard, according to multiple reports. Grizzard spent just one season piloting the Tampa Bay offense after joining the team as pass-game coordinator in 2024. He spent seven years on the Dolphins offensive staff before that, working under head coaches Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and Mike McDaniel. Next season will mark the fifth time in five years under HC Todd Bowles that the Bucs have sported a different OC.

The Buccaneers welcomed RB Bucky Irving back Sunday by re-inserting him as the clear backfield leader. Irving handled 17 of the 21 RB carries in the win over the Cardinals, gaining 61 yards (3.6 per rush) and scoring the team's only ground TD. Rachaad White followed with just 7 yards on two carries. Sean Tucker handled the other two carries for no gain. White led the backfield receiving with 3 catches for 22 yards on three targets. Irving got the other two backfield targets, catching both for 20 yards.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) is active for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. HC Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Irving will "probably be on a pitch count" in his first action since Week 4. Bowles then said Friday that he’ll ride the hot hand at RB, potentially opening the door for more work for Irving. We’re still projecting his touches to be scaled back considerably today, though. Check your Team Dashboard to see if Irving belongs in your starting lineup this week.