McMillan (knee) listed as doubtful for Week 1

Tucker’s expected absence is a nice little boost for Bucky Irving as he looks to shore up his RB2 value following a disastrous 2025. Kenneth Gainwell is unlikely to battle Iriving for goal-line handles. Seeing as Tucker received a “doubtful” tag for Week 1, he’s likely on the wrong side of questionable for Week 2, but his return will at least be a possibility.

As is Sean Tucker (hamstring). McMillan’s immediate absence will force the Bucs to dig in to their young receiving depth earlier than they would have liked, but rookie Ted Hurst is not a bad fall-back option for the club. For fantasy managers, however, Hurst is not yet an option even in 14-team leagues. Also inactive for the Bucs are OT Justin Skule, CB Ayden Garnes, DL DeMonte Capehart, DL Elijah Simmons and OG Billy Schrauth.

The Buccaneers’ No. 3 running back is only a bench stash at this time, but he could take on a few touches if he is active against the Bengals this weekend. He should be considered questionable to play at this time.

McMillan is on track to face the Bengals on Sunday, but he is clearly still ramping up post-injury, potentially adding volatility to his Week 1 outlook. The Buccaneers’ No. 3 wide receiver is a boom-bust FLEX.

The Buccaneers listed McMillan as a starter on the official depth chart yesterday, which is seemingly a vote of confidence regarding his availability this week. McMillan is on track to play, but will likely be limited to FLEX status in fantasy, playing behind WR Emeka Egbuka and WR Chris Godwin.

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

It’s McMillan, not rookie WR Ted Hurst III, who’s listed as a starter alongside Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka ahead of Tampa’s Week 1 game against the Bengals. Hurst, the tallest of the Bucs wideouts, has by all accounts impressed Bucs players and coaches throughout the offseason and should have some kind of role in the team’s passing attack to start the year. It could be a while before Hurst takes on a more prominent role, however. Bucs general manager Jason Licht said last week that Hurst, 22, has “proven to us throughout camp, even OTAs, practice every day that he’s been very, very steady...it’s kind of evolved into okay, we can use him this year and he’s going to play a role.” Hurst can be stashed in deeper fantasy formats for now. McMillan is unlikely to be a factor in the Tampa offense after once again struggling with injuries this offseason.

Bowles didn’t disclose what Tucker is dealing with because he doesn’t have to do that until Wednesday, when the team releases its first injury report. That said, it sounds like Tucker is facing an uphill battle to be ready for Week 1, and we know he was sidelined for Monday’s practice. His absence isn’t expected to have much of a fantasy impact, as Tucker is expected to serve as the third RB for the Bucs behind both Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell.

Egbuka was working with trainers last week, but was on the field with the team on Monday. The Buccaneers won’t release their first official injury report until Wednesday, but it sounds like Egbuka is trending in the right direction ahead of the Buccaneers’ Week 1 game against the Bengals. Egbuka has been dealing with this toe injury since mid-August, but it seems like the Bucs have slowly ramped him up as of late. His practice status will be one to monitor when the first injury report drops. In addition to Egbuka, WR Jalen McMillan and OT Justin Skule were also practicing, while RB Sean Tucker was not seen on the field.

Egbuka was given a ringing “hopefully” response from Todd Bowles when asked if he’d play in Week 1. We’re not overly concerned just yet, but he’s going to need to practice at some point to play. Jalen McMillan (knee) also sat, though we’re not as concerned about him since he’s practiced on that knee injury.