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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Limited on practice estimate
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 4:35 PM
McMillan (neck) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: The same applies to fellow WR Mike Evans (collarbone), with coach Todd Bowles noting Monday that both players are in play to potentially return to action Thursday night against the Falcons, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. McMillan has yet to see game action this season after having suffered a neck injury during an Aug. 16 preseason tilt against the Steelers. |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Estimated as limited in practice
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 4:28 PM
Evans (collarbone) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: The wideout hasn't played since suffering a broken collarbone Oct. 20, but coach Todd Bowles noted Monday that both Evans and Jalen McMillan (neck) are in play to potentially return to action Thursday night against the Falcons, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Look for added context regarding the duo's Week 15 status to arrive in conjunction with Tuesday's practice/injury report. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Limited on practice estimate
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 4:19 PM
Godwin (fibula) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Godwin continues to manage a fibula issue, but with no reported setbacks in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Saints, the wideout's listed limitations Monday were presumably maintenance-related. Added context regarding Godwin's status for Thursday night's game against the Falcons will arrive Tuesday, but at this stage there's no reason to believe that his Week 15 availability is in danger. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton 'DNP' on practice estimate
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 4:11 PM
Otton (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: The Buccaneers held a walk-through practice Monday, so a more accurate read on Otton's chances of playing Thursday night against the Falcons should arrive via Tuesday's practice report. Over his last three games, the tight end -- who has yet to score a TD this season -- has averaged three catches, while compiling a total of 49 yards in that span. |
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Sean Tucker Sean Tucker Gets into end zone in loss
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:31 PM
Tucker rushed seven times for 29 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Analysis: Tucker was a distant third in rush attempts behind Bucky Irving (15 carries) and Rachaad White (11 carries), but the third-year back was the only one of the three to get into the end zone on the ground via a one-yard run just before the midway point of the third quarter. Tucker's boost in playing time and opportunity was encouraging, considering he'd been held to no gain on just two rush attempts against the Cardinals in Week 13. Tucker will aim to maximize whatever touches he sees in a favorable Week 15 home matchup against the Falcons on Thursday night. |
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Rachaad White Rachaad White More efficient than Irving in loss
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:22 PM
White rushed 11 times for 53 yards and secured one of two targets for two yards in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Analysis: The veteran back gained just two fewer yards than backfield mate Bucky Irving on four less carries, putting together his third effort of over 4.8 yards per carry in the last four games. White continued to see a reduced pass-catching role, however, as he's now been held to two catches and 11 yards or fewer in three of the last four games. White does appear to be the clear No. 2 back over Sean Tucker despite the latter's touchdown Sunday, so the former retains value in deeper PPR formats heading into Thursday night's Week 15 home matchup against the Falcons. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton Three grabs in Week 14 loss
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:13 PM
Otton brought in three of four targets for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Analysis: Baker Mayfield slogged through a 14-for-30, 122-yard day in the rainy conditions, and Otton's production reflected the low-volume day for the air attack. The fourth-year tight end strong mid-season run of production increasingly feels like a distant memory, as Otton has recorded 28 or fewer receiving yards each of his last four games heading into a Week 15 home matchup against the Falcons on Thursday night. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Inefficient numbers in Week 14 loss
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 6:02 PM
Egbuka secured two of nine targets for 15 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Analysis: Egbuka had arguably the worst game of his nascent career, producing new career lows in receptions and receiving yards. The rookie also dropped a sure touchdown with just under six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, capping off an outlier of an afternoon overall for the Ohio State product. Egbuka won't have to wait long to atone, as the Falcons come calling for a Week 15 Thursday night matchup later in the week. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Paces pass catchers in loss
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 5:56 PM
Godwin brought in five of eight targets for 55 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Analysis: Godwin led the Buccaneers in receptions, receiving yards and targets on an afternoon when Baker Mayfield threw for just 122 yards. The highlight of the veteran wideout's day came on a 32-yard reception in the first half, and Godwin now has an 8-133-0 line on 13 targets over the last two games after a quiet Week 12 return from a long absence against the Rams. Godwin will next face off with the Falcons' talented secondary in a Week 15 home matchup on Thursday night. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Forgettable afternoon in loss
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 5:45 PM
Mayfield completed 14 of 30 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception while adding six rushes for 42 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Analysis: Mayfield's final line underscores the type of afternoon it was for the normally efficient veteran signal-caller, who surprisingly struggled to a 44.9 QBR in a game for which the Buccaneers were heavily favored. Mayfield connected with Bucky Irving for a 24-yard touchdown pass just before the midway point of the first quarter, but his one interception on a deep pass to Kameron Johnson early in the third quarter led to a Saints touchdown. Mayfield could get Mike Evans (IR, collarbone) back for a Week 15 home matchup against the Falcons on Thursday night to help the quarterback bounce back from his lowest passing yardage total in a non-injury-shortened game this season. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Garners 81 total yards, TD in loss
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:22 PM
Irving rushed 15 times for 55 yards and brought in two of three targets for 26 yards a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Analysis: Irving had elevated expectations heading into the divisional matchup given some of the Saints' troubles defending the run this season, but New Orleans did a reasonably effective job while limiting him to a stingy 23 yards on the 14 carries he logged outside of his game-long 32-yard run. Irving did record his third receiving touchdown of the season on a 24-yard catch and run in the first quarter, helping to salvage his fantasy day. Irving's opportunities on the ground were somewhat capped due to a surprising game script that saw Tampa Bay trailing through more than half of the fourth quarter, but he'll have a good chance to bounce back in a Week 15 home matchup against a vulnerable Falcons run defense on Thursday night. |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Pushing for Week 15 return
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 7:07 AM
Evans (collarbone) will remain out for Sunday's game against the Saints but is pushing to return from injured reserve and could be activated ahead of next Thursday's contest versus the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Though he'll be sidelined for a sixth consecutive game this weekend, Evans took a major step forward in his recovery from a broken clavicle by returning to practice this week. He was a limited participant throughout the week, so Evans may need to upgrade to full participation at some point during the Buccaneers' shortened Week 15 prep period to boost his odds of suiting up against Atlanta. If Evans doesn't make enough progress to play next week, a return to action Week 16 versus the Panthers on Dec. 21 would be a realistic target for the veteran receiver. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Clear for Sunday's contest
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 9:06 PM
Godwin (fibula) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game versus the Saints, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Godwin followed up Wednesday's limited walkthrough with a full session Thursday and another limited practice Friday, but his lingering fibula injury won't impact his availability for Week 14. Meanwhile, fellow WRs Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck), both of whom were designated for return from injured reserve this week, were ruled out, meaning Godwin's competition for targets Sunday will include WRs Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard, TE Cade Otton and RBs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Set for Week 14 action
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 9:01 PM
Mayfield (left shoulder) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Saints, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Mayfield opened Week 14 prep with a limited walkthrough Wednesday due to the AC joint sprain that he suffered in his left shoulder during a Week 12 loss at the Rams. He capped the week with full sessions Thursday and Friday, clearing him to suit up again Sunday. Mayfield's available skill-position talent will be composed of RBs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, WRs Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard and TE Cade Otton after WRs Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck), both of whom were designated to return from IR this week, were ruled out by Tampa Bay. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Not playing this week
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 11:38 AM
McMillan (neck) won't return for Sunday's game against the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: As expected, with McMillan having logged just 2-3 limited practices after missing more than three months due to fractures and ligament damage in his neck. It's unclear what kind of role he'll have if he's ready to play in Week 15 or 16. |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Won't play this week
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 11:29 AM
Evans (collarbone) will not play Sunday against the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Evans returned to practice Wednesday after missing six weeks with a broken collarbone. He never seemed likely to play this week but might have a chance four days later for a Thursday home game against Atlanta. If not, Evans should at least be back for the Week 16 contest at Carolina on Sunday, Dec. 21. With Jalen McMillan (neck, IR) also out for at least one more game, Tampa's top wide receivers are Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Limited again Thursday
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 4:36 PM
McMillan (neck) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Analysis: The Buccaneers designated McMillan for return from injured reserve Wednesday, and he so far has logged a limited walkthrough and a capped practice this week. He's seeking his first game action since preseason Week 2 in mid-August, when he suffered three neck fractures and significant ligament damage in his neck that resulted in him wearing a neck brace for a lengthy span of time. McMillan may require a ramp-up period in order to be activated from IR, but Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not he even has a chance to play Sunday against the Saints. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Full practice Thursday
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 4:08 PM
Godwin (fibula) practiced fully Thursday.
Analysis: Godwin followed up Wednesday's limited walkthrough with no practice restrictions one day later, thereby clearing him for Sunday's contest against the Saints. The same can be said for QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder) and RB Bucky Irving (shoulder), while Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) remained limited after the Buccaneers designated both for return from IR this week. There's a chance that one or both of Evans and McMillan are able to suit up this weekend, but if neither of them are activated, Godwin would continue to operate as one of Mayfield's top targets along with rookie WR Emeka Egbuka and TE Cade Otton, among others. |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Stays limited in practice
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 3:47 PM
Evans (collarbone) was limited at Thursday's practice.
Analysis: Evans maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough as he seeks his first game action since he sustained a broken collarbone Week 7 at Detroit. The Buccaneers opened up his practice window to return from injured reserve Wednesday, after which coach Todd Bowles told Brianna Dix of the team's official site, "Physically, he is fine. He's been running and everything. ... We have to see him in the football atmosphere, running routes pattern-wise. He has to get acclimated to that, so it will be good to see him tomorrow." Evans' limited session one day later indicates he has some work to do to prove his health, and Friday's injury report will provide insight into his potential to return Sunday against the Saints. Fellow WR Jalen McMillan (neck) also was designated for return from IR this week and has been limited like Evans, so both of them seemingly have a chance to play this weekend. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Back to full practice
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 3:40 PM
Mayfield (left shoulder) was a full practice participant Thursday.
Analysis: Mayfield has been dealing with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder since the midpoint of a Week 12 loss at the Rams, but he played through the issue this past Sunday versus the Cardinals, completing 18 of 28 passes for 194 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while turning six carries into 27 yards. He was among five key Buccaneers skill-position players to be limited at Wednesday's walkthrough, but all of him, RB Bucky Irving (shoulder) and WR Chris Godwin (fibula) bumped up to all activity Thursday, while WRs Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck), both of whom were designated to return from IR this week, again operated with a cap on their reps. Friday's injury report will reveal if either or both of Evans and McMillan have a chance to rejoin Tampa Bay's receiving corps Sunday versus the Saints. |
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