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    Irving takes first 3 totes before Gainwell enters

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    TB Running Back #7
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    Bucky Irving rushed three times for 14 yards in the Buccaneers’ preseason Week 2 game against the Chiefs.

    The starting offense played two series consisting of eight plays before giving way to the second unit, wherein Irving saw a carry on the first three plays from scrimmage before Gainwell entered the game. Gainwell received his lone carry on the following play, with neither back seeing another opportunity before departing. Previous talk surrounding this backfield hinted at more of a “1A-1B” situation than what was seen in their first preseason action, widening the range of outcomes of Irving in a fantasy setting for the coming season. That leaves potential room for upside considering Irving’s No. 55 overall aggregate ADP across all platforms, particularly considering how much the coaching staff has talked up his receiving chops this offseason. Consider Irving an interesting upside bet in the fifth round.
Monken: 'Unfair' to put loss on Watson
Cleveland Browns' coach Tod Monken said in a press conference it was, 'unfair' to put the Browns' loss entirely on Deshaun Watson. Andrew Parloff and Paul Pabst assess if that was fair of Monken to say.

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  • TB Running Back #1
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    Shockingly, Gainwell got out-targeted 7-1 by Bucky Irving, though Pro Football Focus did chart Irving’s snaps advantage at a far more modest 35-26. Gainwell was out there. He simply wasn’t a focal point when it came to getting the ball. It was a bizarre contest with sacks and fumbles derailing the Bucs’ offense, but we would have thought this kind of comeback game script would have led to far more Gainwell receptions. Maybe it was just a fluke, but Irving is a safe RB2 heading into Week 2 while Gainwell is now a more uncertain FLEX.
  • TB Running Back #7
    Irving’s eight carries look bad on paper, but they were a function of the Bucs falling behind 21-3 midway through the second quarter thanks to a deluge of turnovers. That includes a lost Irving fumble where he entered a scrum one-handing the ball. Not good, though he was not punished for the mistake. He ended up tying a career high with his seven receptions, with supposed pass-catching back Kenneth Gainwell catching the ball only one time. Nothing went the way the Bucs drew it up this afternoon, so we would not count on that usage simply carrying over to Week 2, but it is certainly a good start from a usage perspective for those who took the plunge on Irving as their RB2. It is worth nothing that PFF charted Irving as out-snapping Gainwell just 35-26. There’s a long way to go here, but we will have Irving in the top 24 for Week 2 against the Browns.
  • TB Running Back #44
    Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said earlier this week that Tucker will be a game-time decision for Week 1 against the Bengals. His continued absence from practice is discouraging, but it bodes well for RB Bucky Irving and RB Kenneth Gainwell. Tucker is not expected to be a high-volume offensive contributor at this point, but adding even a couple of touches to each player’s workload is helpful
  • TB Running Back #44
    Second-year Buccaneers RB Josh Williams has played extensively, and even ahead of RB Sean Tucker, in the preseason thus far. Coach Todd Bowles has avoided answering questions about Tucker’s status directly, instead saying Williams is playing well and the staff wanted to see Williams play against better defenders early in preseason games. While this might not seem like a big deal, it could be for RB Bucky Irving. Tucker has been discussed as the team’s short-yardage and goal-line specialist this season. He is also set to make the second-highest salary in the backfield this year, yet none of it is guaranteed. Releasing him would save the team cash and potentially free up red zone duties for Irving to reclaim. Keep an eye on this position battle tonight.
  • TB Running Back #1
    According to Slivon, Gainwell “has not toted the rock much,” which sounds like good news for RB Bucky Irving’s rushing workload. Slivon believes OC Zac Robinson clearly trusts Gainwell “to turn those plays at or behind the line of scrimmage into bigger gains.” He could have a tough time delivering huge performances if he is only minimally involved in the run game, but in an era where the RB2/FLEX-viable receiving backs are becoming less common, Gainwell may be able to buck that trend.
  • TB Running Back #7
    This quote comes from Irving’s annual youth football camp, which he put on this weekend. The Bucs’ RB1 was still dealing with the effects of offseason shoulder surgery after he played through a shoulder injury last season. He missed some time during OTAs but was able to get on the field in some capacity, and with the pads set to come on in a few days, this is great news for Irving ahead of camp. There has been some talk about the Buccaneers possibly taking a committee approach to its running back room this season after the team added Kenneth Gainwell to the mix and still has Sean Tucker in the mix. Reports out of camp will be worth monitoring as we look to get a sense of how the touch distribution could shape up at the start of the season, but Irving being healthy and putting last season’s injury issues behind him will go a long way in helping his fantasy value this season.
  • TB Running Back
    Reports from mid-May indicated that the Buccaneers might use a running back committee, including Gainwell and incumbent RBs Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker. It seems as though a two-player backfield may be taking shape, with Irving slated for 1A duties ahead of Gainwell. Sources tell Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds that Gainwell “has quickly picked up” OC Zac Robinson’s playbook and is excelling as a receiver out of the backfield. A split backfield could be in play this season.
  • TB Running Back #7
    Organized team activities (OTAs) are conducted without pads, but this is still encouraging. Irving participated in rushing and receiving drills today, at the Buccaneers’ final session before mandatory minicamp begins on June 16th. In mid-May, general manager Jason Licht said Irving would be limited at OTAs, but should be “ready” for training camp in July. Head coach Todd Bowles muddled the return timeline a couple of weeks later, saying Irving was “expected back sometime in summer or fall.” Apparently, that time is now. Hopefully, Irving makes it through today’s session without issue and can continue practicing next week. He remains atop the depth chart, but the coaching staff has noted that RB Kenny Gainwell possesses a similar skill set to Irving, and recently complimented RB Sean Tucker’s short-yardage rushing chops. It looks an awful lot like a committee.
  • TB Running Back #7
    Well, that’s not exactly a fantastic update for the injured running back. Previous reports indicated Irving would not take part in organized team activities but was expected to be a full-go for camp, a timeline that now looks to be in question. The nature of the noncommittal quote from head coach Todd Bowles raises serious concerns for Irving in a fantasy setting, particularly for a team that went out and added another pass-catching, change of pace specialist in Kenneth Gainwell this offseason. Sean Tucker demonstrated a clear knack for short yardage situations in 2025, potentially sending this backfield into a maddening three-headed timeshare come September, with Irving’s lack of practice time potentially earning him a slow start to the regular season. More questions than certainty await early best ball and season-long drafters this May.
  • TB Running Back #7
    Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud describes Irving as “the chair” of what looks to be a running back by committee with Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker. We’ll see what the price range settles in at for Irving, but it’s hard to imagine him as a top-40 pick based on the past week of updates. The story quotes OC Zac Robinson as saying, “Shoot, one guy might get this amount the next week. They might end up balanced, feeling the hot hand, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Rotoworld

  • ATL Defensive Tackle #90
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    Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski said Da’Shawn Hand will miss the remainder of the season with a torn quad.

    It was reported earlier in the day that Hand was believed to have suffered a season-ending quad injury, but Stefanski confirmed the worst on Monday. Hand, who signed a one-year deal with the Falcons this offseason, was expected to serve as a major contributor on the Falcons’ defensive line. The 30-year-old tackle will now spend the remainder of the season rehabbing and could be in search of a new home next offseason.
  • MIN Running Back #27
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    Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Jordan Mason has a sore thumb and is being evaluated.

    Mason didn’t appear to have any issues in Week 1’s win, but adrenaline does carry athletes at times. We’ll likely get an update on this on Wednesday at the latest — we’d consider Mason likely to play in Week 2’s game against the Bears at this point.
  • CAR Wide Receiver #18
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    Jalen Coker said he doesn’t expect to miss any time after being spotted in a walking boot on Monday.

    Coker was seen sporting a boot on his left foot and said he rolled his ankle “a little bit” in Sunday’s loss to the Bears. According to Coker, the injury occurred in the first quarter, which is a good sign since he finished out the game and led all Panthers receivers with 8-138-2 on nine targets. His injury status will be one to watch throughout the week, but it sounds like this is a non-issue heading into Week 2’s game against the Falcons.
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    Browns coach Todd Monken said he “anticipates” Deshaun Watson will start for the Browns in Week 2.

    Monken had been a little more evasive on the issue in his post-game interview after Week 1’s shellacking. It appears the Browns would like to touch the hot stove at least one more time against the Buccaneers. Expectations for all Browns pass-catchers and runners can be lowered even against a middling Bucs defense. Monken added “there were some really good things on film.”
  • JAC Wide Receiver #7
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    Jaguars HC Liam Coen said he expects Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) to play in Week 2 against the Broncos.

    Thomas exited Week 1 after reaggravating a shoulder injury he dealt with in the days leading up to Sunday’s game. He returned to finish out the game, so it’s not all too surprising to hear that Coen expects him to be good to go for next week’s game against the Broncos. Thomas’ 14 routes run in Sunday’s win over the Browns ranked third most among Jags receivers in a game where the leading route runner (Jakobi Meyers) ran only 20 routes in a game that Jacksonville controlled all afternoon. Thomas will be hard to trust as anything more than a WR3 in next week’s game against the Broncos.
  • LAC Wide Receiver #15
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Chargers WR Ladd McConkey will undergo testing to determine the severity of his rib injury.

    McConkey may miss a little time, but that will be determined in the coming days. The third-year receiver suffered a rib injury in Sunday’s Week 1 loss to the Cardinals and finished the day with 5-82-1 on seven targets. If he’s unable to play in Week 2 against the Raiders, Derius Davis could be in line to take over his role in the slot. Davis ran all nine of his routes from the slot on Sunday against the Cardinals.
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    Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said LB Henry To’oTo’o “will be out for some time” with a shoulder injury.

    To’oTo’o left in the second half of Week 1’s loss to the Bills but the team never announced a status after he appeared shaken up on the field. It would not be terribly surprising if an IR designation were coming. Jake Hansen played as Houston’s second linebacker if To’oTo’o’s absence.
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    Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said CB Jacob Parrish (back) has a back sprain.

    X-Rays and MRIs were negative. It sounds like Parrish will be week-to-week going forward assuming he is not placed on IR at some point this week. From an outsider’s perspective, “back sprain” isn’t something you really love to hear.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Rams HC Sean McVay said the team is undecided on whether or not Aaron Donald will play in Week 2 against the Giants.

    Donald was kept off the Week 1 roster for last week’s opener against the 49ers, and the Rams did receive a two-game roster exemption for Donald after he agreed to return. Speaking on Monday, McVay said Donald will “continue to work his process” and that the team will see how things look from there. With the Rams losing Myles Garrett (knee) for at least the next four games, it’s safe to assume they would like to get Donald on the field sooner rather than later.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Cowboys S Malik Hooker suffered a fractured bone in his forearm in Week 1’s loss to the Giants.

    According to Rapoport, the hope is that Hooker can return in less than six weeks. Hooker is meeting with a specialist to get a better sense of how long he could be out. Hooker missed five games last season due to a toe injury and is now set for another multi-game absence with this latest injury. Safety P.J. Locke is listed behind Hooker on the depth chart and played on 28 defensive snaps in Week 1 against the Giants.