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    Bucky Irving gets dinged up in Week 3 loss

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    TB Running Back #7
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    Bucky Irving had 15 rushes for 46 yards in the Bucs’ Week 3 loss to the Vikings, adding two catches for 12 yards.

    Irving was on the sideline for much of the fourth quarter with a potential injury, though it was unclear when or how to picked up the ailment. He accounted for 15 of 18 Bucs running back carries on the day, maintaining his role as the clear No. 1 back in the Tampa backfield. He saw four targets while Kenny Gain well caught two of his five targets. Much of Gainwell’s involvement came after the Bucs fell behind the Vikings. Irving would have a sweet matchup in Week 4 against a vulnerable Green Bay defensive line if he can suit up.
Maye is costing Patriots 'opportunities to win'
Devin McCourty, Jason Garrett and Jac Collinsworth break down the Patriots' struggles to start and season and evaluate Drake Maye's poor performance through three games in 2026.

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  • TB Running Back #1
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    Gainwell was once again inefficient with his limited opportunities. He operated as the team’s lead back, however, when Bucky Irving exited with a lower body injury. If Irving misses any time, Gainwell would profile as a top-24 PPR option, even if he loses touches to Sean Tucker. Tampa’s offense could be without Baker Mayfield (thumb) for a while. That would dampen the prospects of everyone in the offense.
  • TB Running Back #7
    Irving for a second straight week functioned as the unquestioned No. 1 backfield option ahead of Kenneth Gainwell, who had two rushes and three receptions on the day. Irving had a few solid runs in the first half before the Browns put the clamps on the Tampa rushing attack and forced Baker Mayfield to beat them. (He did not.) While somewhat surprising, Irving’s early domination of the Bucs backfield means he’ll be a high-floor weekly running back option until proven otherwise. He gets a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Vikings.
  • TB Running Back #44
    Tucker was out last week with the hamstring issue. His return to the Tampa lineup could take a few touches away from Bucky Irving and/or Kenneth Gainwell. Last week against the Bengals, Irving out-carried Gainwell 8-5 and led the backfield with a 59 percent route share. Bucs declared CB Jacob Parrish, CB Ayden Garnes, DL Elijah Simmons, DL DeMonta Capehart, OL Billy Schrauth, and OL Luke Haggard inactive for Week 2.
  • 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 #7
    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.
  • 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.

Rotoworld

  • MIN Tight End #84
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Vikings TE Josh Oliver is believed to have suffered a torn biceps in Week 3’s win over the Buccaneers.

    Oliver will undergo tests to confirm the injury, but this would likely be a season-ender if the worst is confirmed. Oliver has caught three passes for 46 scoreless yards this season, but has been a key contributor in the running game since joining the Vikings in 2023. His 97 snaps are the second most among Vikings tight ends, behind T.J. Hockenson, with 68 of those snaps coming in run-blocking situations.
  • NYG Outside Linebacker #0
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Giants fear LB Brian Burns suffered a torn ACL in Week 3’s win over the Titans.

    It’s another tough blow to the G-Men, who lost Jaxson Dart in Week 2 due to a knee injury in Week 2 against the Rams. Burns was active for Week 3 despite dealing with an ankle injury, but exited early in the fourth quarter and did not return to the field. Once the injury is confirmed, Burns’ 2026 season will officially come to an end. The 28-year-old pass-rusher tallied four tackles this season and did not record a sack.
  • WAS Running Back #30
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    Commanders re-signed RB Austin Ekeler.

    Ekeler is fully recovered from a torn Achilles that ended his 2025 season after just two games. The 31-year-old running back returns to a familiar place in Washington and will sign to the 53-man roster, making him immediately eligible to play in Week 4. We expect him to have a bit of a ramp-up period before being active on game days, but Ekeler could end up having a meaningful role in a backfield that has struggled to get going through the first three weeks. Ekeler may be worth a stash in deeper leagues, but we’ll have to see what kind of role he has before we can consider putting him in lineups.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
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    Jaylen Waddle caught 2-of-7 targets for 10 yards in the Broncos’ Week 3 win over the Rams, adding 14 yards on one carry.

    Waddle would also add a successful two-point reception in the third quarter to give him a slight boost in counting stats, although the 6.4-point effort left fantasy managers in desperate need of better production from their fourth-round selection in fantasy drafts. Waddle has now sandwiched poor fantasy outings with one usable game through three weeks. Fantasy managers are likely left to ride out the struggles of the Denver offense in hopes of greener pastures, which could come in a Week 4 showdown with the 49ers. Treat Waddle as an upside WR3, at present.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #13
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    Pat Bryant caught both targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ Week 3 win over the Rams.

    Bryant also added a successful two-point reception in the third quarter to give him a usable fantasy week for the first time in 2026. He continues to play well behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle in an offense that has yet to find its footing with a new offensive play caller. He’ll be a difficult start in Week 4 against the 49ers.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #14
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    Courtland Sutton caught 3-of-7 targets for 46 yards in the Broncos’ Week 3 win over the Rams.

    Sutton tied for the team lead in targets while pacing the offense in yards, which highlights the struggles that persist in Davis Webb’s offense through three games. He will be off the FLEX radar ahead of a Week 4 showdown against the 49ers.
  • DEN Running Back #27
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    J.K. Dobbins rushed 17 times for 49 yards in the Broncos’ Week 3 win over the Rams, adding four yards on one reception.

    Dobbins and the rest of the Denver offense have been subject to poor situational tendencies from first-time play caller Davis Webb’s offense through three weeks. Dobbins is the player arguably hit the hardest with poor play sequencing as the bulk of his work comes on early downs. Even so, Dobbins now has a higher share of the backfield opportunities following the placement of Jonah Coleman on IR Saturday. Dobbins is a shaky RB3 ahead of a Week 4 showdown with the 49ers.
  • DEN Quarterback #10
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    Bo Nix completed 17-of-34 passes for 186 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the Broncos’ 30-26, Week 3 win over the Rams, adding seven yards and a touchdown on four carries.

    The Broncos were shut out in the first half amidst consistent struggles from Nix, who, for his part, turned in solid production in a third quarter that saw the Broncos knot the game at 16 through two touchdowns and successful two-point conversions. Nix and the Broncos would struggle to move the football again in the fourth quarter but a pick-six from safety Talanoa Hufanga gave them the lead with under five minutes to play. Stafford returned blows to send the Rams to a three-point lead before Nix’s game-winning score from one yard out. That final drive was aided by three key penalties to go against the Rams, the final of which was questionable, to put it kindly. Josh Wallace appeared to intercept Nix for the second time in the fourth quarter but a defensive pass interference penalty was called, giving the Broncos renewed life. Hufanga would intercept Stafford for a second time in the fourth quarter, this time in the end zone, to seal the victory for the Broncos as time expired. Nix and offensive coordinator Davis Webb have not looked good through three games despite the team’s 2-1 record, and will need to clean things up ahead of another NFC West showdown against the 49ers in Week 4. Nix is currently nothing more than a middling QB2.
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    Tyler Higbee caught 8-of-11 targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ Week 3 loss to the Broncos.

    Higbee’s first quarter touchdown got the scoring started for the Rams, but it wasn’t until Terrance Ferguson departed with an ankle injury that his volume truly took off. From that point forward, Higbee was one of the primary options through the air, finishing two targets behind Davante Adams for the team lead. Fantasy managers will want to monitor Ferguson’s status closely in the coming week as Higbee could become a legitimate waiver target should Ferguson miss time.
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    Konata Mumpfield caught 4-of-8 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ Week 3 loss to the Broncos.

    Mumpfield managed just one grab before erupting for 78 yards and a touchdown on a single drive in the fourth quarter with the Rams trailing for the first time in the game. His touchdown came on a double move against Riley Moss down the sideline for a walk-in score from 48 yards out. Mumpfield stepped into a growing role the previous two weeks in the absence of Puka Nacua and could remain a starter at wide receiver should Nacua miss additional time.