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Payne Durham Payne Durham No catches through eight games
Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 11:17 AM
Durham went without a target while playing 32 of the Buccaneers' 58 snaps on offense in Sunday's 23-3 win over the Saints.
Analysis: Durham logged 101 receptions over his final two collegiate seasons at Purdue, but he's seen sparse involvement in the passing game since entering the NFL as a fifth-round pick of Tampa Bay in 2023. Though he's played at least 20 percent of the snaps in every game this season while working as the No. 2 tight end behind Cade Otton, Durham has run just 19 routes while drawing one uncaught target. |
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Sterling Shepard Sterling Shepard Minimal output in Week 8 win
Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 11:14 AM
Shepard finished with an eight-yard reception on two targets in Sunday's 23-3 win over the Saints.
Analysis: With the Buccaneers placing Mike Evans (collarbone) on injured reserve prior to Sunday's game and with Chris Godwin (fibula) ruled out for the third contest in a row, Shepard appeared primed to see an expanded role in the Tampa Bay passing attack in a favorable matchup with the Saints. That ultimately didn't come to fruition, as the Buccaneers cruised to an easy win thanks to four Saints turnovers that created short fields for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who dropped back just 27 times on the day. Shepard was one of just five Tampa Bay pass catchers targeted in the win, with none eclipsing 43 receiving yards. Shepard ended up playing just 41 percent of the offensive snaps in the victory, and his role could be downsized further if Godwin and/or Jalen McMillan (neck) are able to return following the Buccaneers' Week 9 bye. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Struggles continue post-injury
Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 8:10 PM
Egbuka finished with three receptions on nine targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 23-3 win over New Orleans.
Analysis: Egbuka did not carry an injury designation in Week 8, but the final results suggest that he is still isn't playing at 100 percent. The talented rookie finished with a catch rate below 50 percent for the second week in a row, the only two times he has fallen below that mark this season. Fortunately for fantasy managers, Egbuka will get an extra week of recovery for his nagging hamstring with Tampa Bay on bye in Week 9. A refreshed Egbuka will look to get back on track when the Buccaneers host the Patriots on Nov. 9. |
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Sean Tucker Sean Tucker Elevates play against New Orleans
Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 7:24 PM
Tucker took 12 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown without being targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 23-3 win over the Saints.
Analysis: Tucker saw a nearly even split in carries with fill-in starter Rachaad White (13-35-0), but it was the latter who produced the favorable fantasy score this time around. The 23-year-old Tucker was limited to just two touches in last week's loss to Detroit, so Sunday's outburst comes as a pleasant surprise for those in deeper formats who rolled the dice on Tampa Bay's third-string RB. Tucker has scored twice in the four games sans starter Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), but he managed just seven total rushing yards in the two contests he failed to hit pay dirt. It probably isn't wise to add Tucker following Sunday's strong showing with the Buccaneers on a bye in Week 9 coupled with the potential for Irving to return to the lineup against the Patriots on Nov. 9. |
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Rachaad White Rachaad White Lesser of tandem backfield Sunday
Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 7:12 PM
White rushed 13 times for 35 yards and had two receptions on as many targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 23-3 win over the Saints.
Analysis: White got another start in place of injured starter Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) in Week 8, leading the Buccaneers' backfield in carries (13) and touches (15) in a comfortable win. That's where the good news ends, as backfield mate Sean Tucker (12-42-1) finished as the team's leading rusher while scoring its only touchdown on offense Sunday. With the Buccaneers on a bye in Week 9, there is a possibility that Irving could be ready to return when Tampa Bay resumes play against New England on Nov. 9. White would lose nearly all of his fantasy value in that scenario, so managers have to weigh whether it is worth holding on to the backup through the bye week. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Deals with unfavorable game script
Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 6:35 PM
Mayfield (knee) completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 152 yards, no touchdowns and one lost fumble while recording no rushing attempts in Sunday's 23-3 win over New Orleans.
Analysis: Tampa Bay's defense (one touchdown), running game (one touchdown) and special teams (11 points) generated all of Tampa Bay's scoring in Sunday's one-sided victory. The unfavorable game script and Mayfield's first lost fumble of the season resulted in his worst fantasy score this campaign. The early MVP candidate's 152 passing yards also checked in as his lowest total through eight starts. Mayfield is still providing fantasy managers with 1,919 passing yards and 13 touchdowns (three turnovers) following the low-use outing, putting him on pace for a third consecutive 4,000-yard season. The 6-2 Buccaneers will enter a much-needed bye in Week 9, potentially giving Mayfield more of his weapons back when play resumes against the Patriots on Nov. 9. |
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Sterling Shepard Sterling Shepard Filling No. 2 receiver role Sunday
Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 2:13 PM
Shepard is projected to operate as the No. 2 receiver in Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Saints due to the absences of Mike Evans (IR, collarbone/concussion) and Chris Godwin (fibula), Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The veteran wideout started the Week 7 loss to the Lions working as the No. 3 receiver, but he bumped up a notch on the depth chart during the game when Evans exited with his pair of injuries. Shepard wound up with a season-high seven receptions on his seven targets against Detroit, albeit while netting only 25 receiving yards. Sunday, Shepard is due to begin the game as the No. 2 wideout, and he could certainly benefit from the defensive attention likely to be showered on rookie position mate Emeka Egbuka. |
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Tez Johnson Tez Johnson Added opportunity on tap Sunday
Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 2:06 PM
Johnson is set to work as the Buccaneers' No. 3 receiver and likely see an increase in snap count and targets during Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Saints due to the absences of Mike Evans (IR, collarbone/concussion) and Chris Godwin (fibula), Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The rookie has already been making his mark in the Buccaneers' offense in recent games, recording his first pair of NFL touchdowns and two four-catch tallies in his last three contests. Johnson logged a career-high nine targets in the Week 7 loss to the Lions on Monday night as part of the ripple effect of Evans' early exit and Godwin's absence, and with the same conditions at play Sunday, the Oregon product could capitalize. |
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Teddy Bridgewater Teddy Bridgewater Ready to rock
Fri, Oct 24, 2025, 2:16 PM
Bridgewater (teeth) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Although Bridgewater missed the Buccaneers' first two practices this week, he was a full go Friday, indicating that he's ready to play in Sunday's contest. Now fully healthy, the 2014 first-round pick is expected to operate as Tampa Bay's No. 2 quarterback in the Week 8 divisional matchup. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Avoids injury designation
Fri, Oct 24, 2025, 1:40 PM
Egbuka (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at New Orleans, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Egbuka played through the same injury in a 24-9 loss at Detroit on Monday, catching four of 12 targets for 58 yards while leading Tampa's WRs in snap share (76 percent) and route share (81 percent). He could get even more playing time this week, especially after upgrading to full practice participation Friday. Fellow wideout Mike Evans (collarbone) is expected to miss most of the rest of the season, with Chris Godwin (fibula) out at least through a Week 9 bye. |
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Teddy Bridgewater Teddy Bridgewater Misses Thursday's practice
Thu, Oct 23, 2025, 5:27 PM
Bridgewater (teeth) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
Analysis: Bridgewater has missed the first two practices of the week, so Friday's injury report will provide clarity on whether he serves as Baker Mayfield's backup against the Saints on Sunday. Connor Bazelak is the lone quarterback on the practice squad, so he would likely be elevated to the active roster for Week 8 if Bridgewater is unable to play. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Full practice Thursday
Thu, Oct 23, 2025, 3:39 PM
Mayfield (knee) was a full practice participant Thursday.
Analysis: One day removed from being limited at Wednesday's walkthrough, Mayfield bumped all the way back to full, ensuring that he'll be under center for the Buccaneers on Sunday at New Orleans. Who will be joining him remains to be seen with WR Mike Evans (concussion/collarbone) out for most of the rest of the season and RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and WR Chris Godwin (fibula) ruled out for Week 8. On a positive note, rookie standout WR Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) followed up Wednesday's absence with a limited session Thursday, meaning he's trending in a positive direction to be among Mayfield's top targets this weekend. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Gets back to limited Thursday
Thu, Oct 23, 2025, 3:34 PM
Egbuka (hamstring) was limited at Thursday's practice.
Analysis: Egbuka currently is the Buccaneers' top available wide receiver with Mike Evans (concussion) set to miss most of the rest of the campaign due to a broken collarbone and Chris Godwin (fibula) effectively ruled out for Sunday's game at New Orleans. Having said that, Egbuka continues to deal with the hamstring injury that has inhibited him since getting hurt Week 6 against the 49ers. After sitting out Wednesday's walkthrough, he has made progress with some on-field work one day later, but Friday's practice report will unveil whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation ahead of Week 8 action. |
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Teddy Bridgewater Teddy Bridgewater Doesn't practice Wednesday
Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 7:09 PM
Bridgewater (teeth) did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Bridgewater was able to serve as the Buccaneers' backup QB for Monday's loss against the Lions after overcoming an illness, but he popped up on Wednesday's report with a new injury. He'll have two more chances to return to practice ahead of Sunday's NFC South tilt against the Saints. |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Placed on IR
Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 4:53 PM
The Buccaneers placed Evans (collarbone) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Analysis: A report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport earlier Wednesday suggested that Evans suffered a "clean break" of his collarbone and could be back in eight weeks or fewer. That's optimistic relative to past cases of NFL players returning from collarbone fractures, but it's at least clear that the Bucs have hope to get Evans back later this season. For now, he's officially ruled out for the next four games on injured reserve, with surgery scheduled this week. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Tending to knee issue
Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 4:09 PM
Mayfield was limited at Wednesday's walkthrough due to a knee injury, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Mayfield was stymied by the Lions defense in Monday's 24-9 loss, completing 28 of 50 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also didn't record a carry after being effective as a scrambler through the first six games of the campaign. Perhaps the knee issue was partly responsible, and he'll now have two chances to get back to full this week or else risk entering the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest at New Orleans. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Still dealing with hamstring issue
Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 4:01 PM
Egbuka missed Wednesday's walkthrough due to a hamstring injury, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Egbuka managed just one limited session last week due to the same health concern before suiting up Monday in Detroit, a contest in which Chris Godwin (fibula) was inactive and Mike Evans (concussion) suffered a collarbone injury that's expected to sideline him for most of the rest of the season. Assuming Egbuka continues to be able to suit up on game days, he'll serve as the top pass catcher for QB Baker Mayfield (knee), but the results have been modest the last two contests (a combined 6-82-0 on 16 targets) after a blistering start to his NFL career (25-445-5 on 38 targets in his first five appearances). |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Could return in under eight weeks
Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 12:10 PM
Evans is scheduled to undergo surgery this week to address a broken collarbone, for which he faces a recovery timetable of eight weeks or less, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Evans suffered a clean break to his collarbone during the second quarter of Monday's 24-9 loss to the Lions, and head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that the star wideout will be "touch and go" to retake the field prior to the end of the regular season, per Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site. It sounds, at least, as though the team is confident Evans will be able to contribute in the postseason if Tampa Bay earns a playoff berth. In the meantime, Chris Godwin (fibula) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Saints, but he could be a candidate to return to action after the Buccaneers' bye in Week 9. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Not a candidate to play Week 8
Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 12:04 PM
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Godwin (lower leg) will not be available Sunday on the road against New Orleans, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Bowles said Godwin, who will not practice Wednesday, remains "week-to-week" and that the team has no concerns about his fibula injury potentially being season-ending, per Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site. The same can't be said for Mike Evans, however, who Bowles said will be "touch and go" to return by the end of the regular season due to a broken collarbone suffered during Monday's loss to the Lions, per Smith. Tampa Bay will go on bye Week 9, meaning Godwin's next chance to take the field will arrive Sunday, Nov. 9 versus the Patriots in Week 10. Until Godwin retakes the field, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, Ryan Miller and Kameron Johnson will handle expanded roles at wide receiver behind rookie Emeka Egbuka. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Won't return Week 8
Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 11:52 AM
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Irving (foot) will not suit up for Sunday's road matchup against the Saints, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Irving won't practice Wednesday or be a candidate to return Week 8, but it would at least be encouraging to see him resume handling limited reps at some point before Tampa Bay's bye in Week 9. Versus New Orleans, Rachaad White will be slated to draw another start, while Sean Tucker will likely handle No. 2 reps. Irving's next opportunity to retake the field will come Sunday, Nov. 9 versus the Patriots in Week 10. |
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