Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports that the Buccaneers are working on a long-term deal with WR Chris Godwin. She adds that if the 2 sides don’t reach agreement by today’s 4 p.m. franchise-tag deadline, the team is expected to tag the WR. For fantasy football purposes, you should expect Godwin to remain with Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future. His end-of-season ACL tear, of course, challenges his 2022 outlook

The Giants are releasing TE Kyle Rudolph, according to multiple sources, a move that will clear $5.2 million in camp space for a team projected over the expected 2022 salary cap. This was a predictable decision given the team's cap situation and the fact that the 32-year-old TE is coming off a 26-catch 1st year with the Giants. With fellow TE Evan Engram on the brink of unrestricted free agency, New York's Week 1 TE starter probably isn't currently under contract with the team.

Beat writer Greg Auman of The Athletic believes the Bucs have a “good chance” of retaining WR Chris Godwin. Auman doesn’t see the franchise tag as a viable path — Tampa Bay did that last year. He also doesn’t believe Godwin’s late-season ACL tear altered the team’s “long-term optimism of him playing at a very high level.” Regardless of where he plays, the 26-year-old should be considered questionable for the start of next season.

Bucs GM Jason Licht said the team is “very excited” about the development of QB Kyle Trask. Licht noted the value of sitting behind Tom Brady while adding that he will “explore all avenues” to find the best QB. Perhaps Trask, who enters year 2, will be given a shot at landing the Week 1 job. But with the Bucs’ roster in win-now mode, our money is on a veteran taking over come September. Plus, as a strict pocket-passer, Trask doesn't have the desirable, fantasy-friendly skill set.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cites “multiple sources” saying the Buccaneers have "high interest" in re-signing WR Chris Godwin. Godwin, of course, is coming off a Week 15 ACL tear. Yet he's reportedly viewed as the Lavonte David of Tampa Bay’s offense — “the tough and physical player who sets a tone and embodies team culture.” In 2021, Godwin set career highs in targets (128) and catches (98), doing so in 14 games. While the ACL might keep his price down a bit, the 25-year-old certainly won't be cheap. Free agency officially opens up on March 16th.

Cardinals RBs Chase Edmonds (ribs, toe) and James Conner (ribs) are active for tonight's Wild Card game vs. the Rams. Edmonds looks like the healthier of the 2 after getting in a full practice on Saturday and being left off the final injury report. Conner only got in a limited practice on Saturday and was listed as questionable.

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.

Browns GM Andrew Berry threw support behind QB Baker Mayfield on Tuesday. "We fully expect Baker to be our starter and bounce back," Berry said. Actions speak louder than words, of course. So we'll see if Cleveland makes any major moves at QB this offseason. The Browns exercised the 5th-year option on Mayfield's contract, so he's on the books for nearly $19 million in 2022.

Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds (ribs, toe) won't play vs. the Seahawks this weekend, HC Kliff Kingsbury said Friday. Edmonds didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and this early rule-out puts his status for the opening round of the playoffs in question. Assuming RB James Conner's heel is reasonably healthy, he'll carry big upside in Week 18 fantasy lineups. We'll get another update on Conner later today.

Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds (ribs, toe) missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday. RB James Conner (heel) remained limited but suddenly looks like the healthier RB in Arizona. We'll see what these guys do on Friday and how they're listed on the final injury report for Sunday's game vs. Seattle.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield won't play in Sunday's finale vs. the Bengals, HC Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday. Mayfield will undergo surgery to address the torn labrum in his left shoulder as soon as possible, Stefanski said. So that ends an extremely tough season for Mayfield, who also battled knee and foot injuries. His 60.5% completion rate, 7.2 yards per attempt, 4.1% TD rate and 3.1% INT rate were all worse than his 2020 marks. Mayfield is under contract with the Browns for 2022, but don't be surprised if the team adds competition this offseason.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield is considering sitting out Sunday's finale vs. the Bengals. He's dealt with a plethora of injuries this season, including a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require surgery this offseason. "I'm an extremely competitive guy," Mayfield said after taking 9 sacks in Monday night's loss to the Steelers. "Now it's time for me to start looking at what's in the best interest of me and my health. ... Right now, I'm pretty damn beat up, to be honest with you. There's no way around it." QB Case Keenum figures to start for Cleveland this weekend if Mayfield doesn't.

Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) is active for today's game against the Jets, marking his return from 2 games down with a foot injury. CBs Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting are also active, after arriving questionable.

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Jets. He got in just a limited practice on Friday after spending Monday through Thursday on the COVID list. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that Evans will play “in a limited capacity.” Check the Week 17 WR Rankings to see if Evans makes sense for your starting lineup.

Bucs WR Mike Evans is expected to play "in a limited capacity" vs. the Jets today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Evans hurt his hamstring in Week 15, missed Week 16 and then landed on the COVID list on Monday. Evans came off the COVID list on Friday and got in a limited practice that day. He's obviously a risky fantasy play today, although he's capable of doing some damage on just a handful of targets -- especially vs. the Jets.

Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets. Tampa Bay has ruled out EDGE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder). That leaves the Bucs without both edge starters, as Shaq Barrett is already out for at least the rest of the regular season.

The Bears have activated DE Akiem Hicks from the COVID list. He spent 8 days on the list and will carry risk for IDP rosters in Week 17.

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Jets. He was activated off the COVID list and put in a limited practice on Friday. Between the COVID, hamstring and an easily winnable game against the Jets, we’d be a little surprised if Evans played on Sunday. But we’ll find out for sure around 11:30 am ET.

The Buccaneers on Friday activated WR Mike Evans from the COVID list. That makes him eligible to play Sunday against the Jets, but we still need to see about the hamstring injury that cost him last week's game.

The Buccaneers on Monday placed WR Mike Evans on the COVID list. He missed Sunday's win over the Panthers with a hamstring injury that has yet to allow him to return to practice. So it's not clear whether Evans would be available for Week 17 even if he clears the league COVID protocols. We'll see where this week goes, but don't plan to have Evans available for your fantasy football lineups.