| News |
|---|
|
Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Quiet finish to rookie season
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 10:57 PM
Egbuka brought in one of three targets for eight yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday. He finished the 2025 season with 63 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns on 127 targets and two rushes for nine yards over 17 games.
Analysis: Egbuka was thrust into a significant role from Day 1 of his rookie season, as the Buccaneers began the campaign without Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan due to ankle and neck injuries, respectively. The Ohio State product looked like an instant star after posting a 25-445-5 line on 38 targets over his first five career games, but Egbuka topped 64 receiving yards just once for the remaining 12 contests despite Mike Evans and Godwin missing significant time and McMillan not making his season debut until Week 15. Nevertheless, there isn't any doubt about Egbuka's talent after he still nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his first season, and he could be set for a similar elevated target share in 2026 if Godwin isn't retained this offseason. |
|
Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Closes season with one catch
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 10:48 PM
Godwin secured his only target for eight yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday. He finished the 2025 regular season with 33 receptions for 360 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets across nine games.
Analysis: Godwin's uninspiring finish was a somewhat fitting end to a career-worst season for the accomplished veteran, who failed to hit the 50-catch mark for the first time since his rookie 2017 campaign. Godwin didn't make his season debut until Week 4 while completing his recovery from a 2024 ankle injury, and after posting matching three-catch, 26-yard efforts in his first two games, the Penn State product went on to log five consecutive absences due to a fibula injury. Godwin ultimately managed just one 100-yard performance and finished with a career-low 7.1 yards per target, making it close to a throwaway campaign from a fantasy perspective. Godwin is under contract for the 2026 season at a significant cap hit of $33.7 million thanks to a $22 million base salary, so a restructuring or potential parting of the ways appears to be in the cards this offseason. |
|
Owen Wright Owen Wright Inks future deal with Tampa Bay
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 8:51 PM
The Buccaneers signed Wright to a reserve/future contract Monday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Wright was on and off of Tampa Bay's practice squad throughout the 2025 season, and he appeared in three contests, turning three carries into six yards while playing seven total offensive snaps. The running back will now have the chance to participate in the Buccaneers' offseason activities, and he'll look to compete for a reserve role behind Bucky Irving with top backup Rachaad White set to become a free agent. |
|
Teddy Bridgewater Teddy Bridgewater Still wants to play
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 3:02 PM
Bridgewater said Monday that he wants to continue playing in the NFL next season, but has yet to discuss with the Buccaneers about a potential return, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Bridgewater is set to become a free agent for this upcoming offseason. The 33-year-old appeared in four games for Tampa Bay in 2025, only getting quarterback reps in Week 12 against the Rams when Baker Mayfield exited with a shoulder injury. Bridgewater completed eight out of 15 passes for 62 yards, and rushed three times for four yards in his lone opportunity. Should the tenth-year pro reach free agency, he can potentially be a compelling backup for teams in need. |
|
Rachaad White Rachaad White Records 41 total yards in win
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 9:36 PM
White rushed seven times for 23 yards and brought in both targets for 18 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday.
Analysis: White was a distant runner-up to Bucky Irving in carries for the Buccaneers on the afternoon, with the latter logging a career-high 26 rush attempts. Like Irving, White averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, and he complemented that with equally modest receiving yardage. White put together a serviceable regular season despite the fact he had the potential for expanded opportunity with Irving missing seven games with shoulder and foot injuries, finishing with 572 rushing yards and four touchdowns at 4.3 yards per carry while adding a 40-218-0 line on 45 targets across 17 games. White would remain in a complementary role should the Buccaneers play next weekend in the wild-card round by virtue of the Saints tying or defeating the Falcons on Sunday. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Pair of grabs in Week 18 win
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:57 PM
Evans brought in both targets for 34 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday.
Analysis: Evans contributed 21- and 13-yard gains on his pair of catches, but the Panthers did a good job overall on limiting receiver production, which opened up plenty of opportunity for tight end Cade Otton. It was a quiet finish to an injury-shortened season for Evans, who appeared in a career-low eight games and posted a 30-368-3 line on 62 targets. The talented veteran will hope to continue his season in next weekend's wild-card round, which will be made possible if the Saints tie or defeat the Falcons on Sunday. |
|
Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Gutsy, efficient in big win
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:19 PM
Mayfield completed 16 of 22 for 203 yards with a touchdown and an interception and rushed four times for 31 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday. He also fumbled once but recovered.
Analysis: Mayfield averaged an impressive 9.2 yards per attempt while connecting with both Mike Evans and Cade Otton for passes of 20-plus yards. The veteran signal-caller's only touchdown toss came early on, as he connected with Otton from 18 yards out to cap off a nine-play game-opening drive. Mayfield repeatedly focused on Otton throughout the afternoon for several more productive gains, although his one interception in the second quarter at his own 39-yard line did lead to a Panthers touchdown. Mayfield wraps up the 2025 regular season with the lowest completion percentage (63.2) and passing yardage total (3,693) of his three-year Buccaneers tenure, but he and his teammates will be pulling for the Saints to defeat or tie the Falcons on Sunday in order to be able to continue playing in next weekend's wild-card round as the NFC South champions. |
|
Cade Otton Cade Otton Clutch performance in key win
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:13 PM
Otton secured seven of nine targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday.
Analysis: Otton comfortably set the pace for the Buccaneers in receptions, receiving yards and targets, and the middle figure was also a new season high. The fourth-year pro delivered multiple key catches, including an 18-yard TD grab to open the scoring in the first quarter, as well as a 20-yard reception just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter that helped Tampa Bay burn some precious time while nursing a two-point lead. Otton's touchdown was his first of the season, and he finished the 2025 campaign with a career-high-tying 59 receptions and the second-highest receiving yardage total of his four seasons (572). |
|
Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Massive workload in win
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 7:08 PM
Irving rushed 26 times for 85 yards and brought in one of two targets for 13 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday.
Analysis: Irving proved capable of handling a true workhorse role, logging a new career high in rush attempts. As his final implies, the Panthers made the second-year back work hard for his yards, but Irving was able to move the chains on five occasions, certainly a critical stat in what turned out to be a narrow win. Irving finishes his injury-hampered regular season with 588 rushing yards at just 3.4 yards per carry, but he'll have a chance for better production in the wild-card round next weekend if the Saints can upend or tie the Falcons on Sunday. |
|
Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Active in Week 18, despite illness
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 2:18 PM
Godwin (illness) is listed as active Saturday against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Tampa Bay added Godwin to its Week 18 injury report Saturday due to an illness but at the same time didn't give him a game status, implying that he was expected to play. Now that that has been confirmed, Godwin will be available as the Bucs seek a win, plus a Falcons loss or tie to the Saints on Sunday, to officially win the NFC South and thus the No. 4 playoff seed in the conference. He's logged between 64 and 96 percent of the offensive snaps over the last five games en route to a 24-291-2 line on 32 targets during that span. |
|
Sterling Shepard Sterling Shepard Healthy scratch for Week 18
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 2:08 PM
Shepard (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Shepard played a key role in the Buccaneers' offense for most of the year, but he will end up missing the final four games of the regular season. That absence has coincided with the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve, and Shepard will end the 2025 regular season with 39 catches (on 53 targets) for 371 yards and one touchdown while adding four carries for 19 yards across 13 games. The Buccaneers would clinch the NFC South division title with a win Saturday and a Falcons loss to the Saints on Sunday, though Shepard would be unlikely to play in the postseason, barring an injury or absence to Tampa Bay's wide receiver corps. |
|
Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Under the weather, playing Saturday
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 12:34 PM
Godwin was added to the Buccaneers' injury report due to an illness but does not have an injury status heading into Saturday's NFC South clash against the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The illness won't prevent Godwin from playing in Saturday's regular-season finale, which will determine who wins the NFC South division title and enters the playoffs as the conference's fourth seed. If Godwin's playing time is limited due to the illness, then Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka would be in line to see more snaps on offense alongside Mike Evans. Godwin is coming off his best performance of the season in a Week 17 loss to the Dolphins, catching seven passes (on eight targets) for 108 yards and a touchdown. |
|
Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Full practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 3:28 PM
Mayfield (right shoulder/knee) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Analysis: One day removed from being limited at Tuesday's walkthrough due to right shoulder and knee injuries, Mayfield had no on-field restrictions. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard confirmed as much Wednesday, telling Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site that Mayfield is "ready to roll." Mayfield thus is set to lead a Tampa Bay team that needs a win against the Panthers on Saturday, combined with a Falcons loss or tie Sunday versus the Saints, to lock down the No. 4 seed in the NFC side of the playoffs. |
|
Kameron Johnson Kameron Johnson Limited to return role
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 8:55 AM
Johnson returned two punts for 27 yards and three kickoffs for 75 yards Sunday in the Buccaneers' 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.
Analysis: Johnson continues to suit up for Tampa Bay on game days as a depth receiver, but he's been used almost exclusively on special teams the past three games while the Buccaneers have gotten healthier at wideout with the recent returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve. He's played just one snap on offense over the past three weeks and owns a 4-64-1 receiving line on seven targets to go with 13 yards on two carries through his 16 appearances on the season. |
|
Payne Durham Payne Durham No targets in Week 17
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 8:53 AM
Durham went without a target while taking the field for nine of the Buccaneers' 67 offensive plays in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.
Analysis: Durham has suited up for all 16 of the Buccaneers' games to date but continues to remain an afterthought in the passing game as Tampa Bay's No. 2 tight end behind Cade Otton. He's drawn just three targets on 43 routes across his 333 offensive snaps on the season, totaling one catch for 11 yards. |
|
Devin Culp Devin Culp Limited to special teams in Week 17
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 8:51 AM
Culp played all 13 of his snaps on special teams in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.
Analysis: After he was a healthy inactive for the Buccaneers' Week 16 loss to the Saints, Culp suited up as Tampa Bay's third tight end in Week 17, but he didn't see any run on offense behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham. For the season, Culp has recorded one reception -- a six-yard touchdown -- on his lone target in 12 appearances for Tampa Bay. |
|
Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Battling shoulder, knee injuries
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 3:03 PM
The Buccaneers listed Mayfield as a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice due to knee and right shoulder injuries, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Mayfield had notably been listed with a left shoulder injury on Buccaneers injury reports from Weeks 13 through 15, but he's now contending with an issue to his throwing shoulder along with his knee coming out of this past Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins. With the NFC South title at stake this weekend, Mayfield isn't expected to be in any real danger of missing Saturday's matchup with the Panthers, but the pair of injuries may only cast further doubt about the quarterback's chances of returning to his early season form in Week 18. During Tampa Bay's current four-game losing streak, Mayfield is averaging 222.5 passing yards per contest and has thrown for six touchdowns while turning the ball over six times (five interceptions, one lost fumble). |
|
Tez Johnson Tez Johnson Multiple grabs in loss
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 2:03 AM
Johnson secured both targets for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 20-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
Analysis: Johnson managed to record multiple receptions for the first time since Week 12 while logging 11 snaps (16 percent), his lowest volume since Week 1. With four healthy and more experienced receivers ahead of him, even Sunday's stat line can be considered a success to a degree for Johnson, who projects to remain relegated to a deep reserve role for a critical Week 18 regular-season finale against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|
Cade Otton Cade Otton Four grabs in loss to Miami
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:16 PM
Otton caught all four of his targets for 33 yards in the Bucs' loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
Analysis: It marked Otton's highest yardage output since Week 10, but the tight end remains scoreless on the season. With all of the Bucs' wideouts healthy, Otton's a low-floor, low-ceiling fantasy bet ahead of next Sunday's Week 18 date with the Panthers. Otton caught just two passes for 15 yards on two targets against Carolina in Week 16. |
|
Sean Tucker Sean Tucker Rushes for eight yards in loss
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:14 PM
Tucker rushed two times for eight yards in Tampa Bay's loss to Miami on Sunday.
Analysis: Tucker failed to reel in his lone target in the passing game. Tucker has been handling goal-line duties for the Bucs. Part of a three-way committee in the backfield, Tucker carries extremely minimal fantasy value ahead of a Week 18 date with the Panthers. He's a touchdown-or-bust proposition with Bucky Irving healthy. |
Connect With Us:
