Fantasy Football News

The Buccaneers have downgraded RB Leonard Fournette (hip) to out for Sunday's game against the Browns. He had already been deemed doubtful, so we moved Rachaad White up the Week 12 fantasy football rankings Friday in anticipation of Fournette not playing. Tampa Bay has also activated RB Giovani Bernard. We'll see what kind of role he can carve out, but we're not worried about Bernard's impact on White's numbers.

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette (hip) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Browns. He got in 3 limited practices this week but evidently isn't fit to play. Assuming Fournette sits, rookie Rachaad White will step in as Tampa's clear lead back against a struggling Cleveland run defense. White will be backed up by RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn and potentially RB Gio Bernard, who was designated to return from IR earlier this week.

The Buccaneers have designated RB Giovani Bernard to return from IR. Bernard has been out since suffering a Week 2 ankle injury. There's now a 3-week window to return him to the active roster -- or rule him out for the season. It might not matter for fantasy purposes. Bernard played 0 offensive snaps through the season's 1st 2 weeks.

The Bucs placed RB Gio Bernard (ankle) on IR, knocking him out for at least 4 games. He's been active the first 2 weeks but hasn't played a snap on offense. RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn figures to take over that role while Bernard is out. Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White are locked in as Tampa's top 2 RBs.

Bucs RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn is a healthy scratch for tonight's game vs. the Cowboys. Tampa is rolling with RBs Leonard Fournette, Rachaad White and Gio Bernard.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard was knocked out of Saturday's preseason opener with an ankle injury. With RB Leonard Fournette sitting, Bernard drew the start over RBs Rachaad White and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. We'll see about the severity of the ankle injury.

We're not done hearing about RB Leonard Fournette's offseason weight gain. Here's what Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times had to say on the subject this week, via the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast: “Coaches were not happy, and that’s an understatement, when (Fournette) didn’t participate in the OTAs, but then he shows up at the mandatory minicamp weighing damn near 260 [pounds]. And that’s not a good sign for a guy that you’ve just spent a three-year contract on.” There's certainly still time for Fournette to get into shape ahead of the regular season. This is a red flag worth keeping in mind, though, given Fournette's history of lower-body injuries and his Round 2 ADP.

RB Giovani Bernard is re-signing with the Buccaneers on a 1-year deal for the "veteran salary benefit," according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. That means just less than $1.3 million for the 10th-year veteran. Bernard carried just 8 times while adding 29 targets over 12 regular-season games last year, losing 4 to hip and knee injuries late in the season. He's expected to work behind Leonard Fournette and Ke'Shawn Vaughn on the depth chart.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard (knee, hip) is active for today's Wild Card game vs. the Eagles. It'll be his first action since Week 14. Bernard is joined in the backfield by Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell. Vaughn figures to lead in carries, with Bernard and Bell handling the bulk of the passing-game work.

The Bucs designated RBs Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Gio Bernard (knee, hip) to return from IR. Both guys are eligible to return to practice and appear on track to play in Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Eagles. We'll monitor their practice participation this week. Assuming they're healthy, Fournette should step back into a workhorse role, with Bernard mixing in for a few passing-down snaps.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard is expected to miss "some time" with an MCL injury and hip strain suffered in Sunday's win over the Bills, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Bernard hasn't topped 4 carries or 3 targets in a game since Week 3, so there's very little fantasy impact here. Leonard Fournette will continue to dominate touches in Tampa's backfield.

Update: Bernard has been placed on IR, so he's out until at least Week 18.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Dolphins. He put in a full practice on Friday and should be ready to retake his usual passing-down role. Bernard isn’t a Week 5 fantasy option but lowers RB Leonard Fournette’s ceiling a bit.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Dolphins. He put in a full practice on Friday, though, so he figures to play. Bernard isn't a Week 5 fantasy option but will likely steal a few targets from RB Leonard Fournette.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard (knee) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He has a shot to return for this weekend's game vs. Miami. Bernard would likely step back into a pass-catching role, putting a dent in RB Leonard Fournette's fantasy outlook.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard (knee) is out for Sunday night's game vs. the Patriots. Bernard leads Bucs RBs with 15 targets and has run a route on 31% of pass plays through 3 weeks. The majority of that work should go to RB Leonard Fournette this weekend. It's a sizable boost to Fournette's Week 4 fantasy value.

Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski (ribs) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice. We're still expecting Gronk to play vs. the Patriots on Sunday night, but his status is worth checking on tomorrow. RB Gio Bernard also missed practice again on Thursday.

Bucs RB Gio Bernard (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. His MCL sprain is supposedly minor, but consider him no better than 50/50 to play vs. the Patriots on Sunday night. Bernard's absence would be a boost to RB Leonard Fournette's fantasy stock.