Sean

Tucker

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.

The contract comes fully guaranteed as Tucker gets the stability he was looking for this offseason after entering 2026 on a restricted free agent tender of $3.52 million. Tucker presumably sits third on the depth chart at running back for the Buccaneers after the addition of Kenny Gainwell, a situation he has grown accustomed to during his time in Tampa. The pay cut likely stands as a boost to starter Bucky Irving after numerous reports this offseason called for a potential three-way timeshare in the backfield, something that now appears less likely given current circumstances.

Williams had a strong camp and even played ahead of Sean Tucker in a preseason game, causing some reporters to speculate that he could make the team’s 53-man roster over Tucker. While he likely earned himself a spot on the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers, Tucker remains the team’s RB3 heading into the season.

Tucker and RB Josh Williams competed for the Buccaneers’ No. 3 running back job all night. Tucker got the start, touching the ball on three of the first four plays. Unfortunately, the drive ultimately ended in a punt, as did almost all of the others. It was an unproductive night for the Buccaneers’ offense. Williams entered the game on the second drive, and the two players continued to rotate in and out thereafter. Williams rushed eight times for 21 yards. Tucker caught one pass for minus-one yard as well. Neither player really separated from the other in the box score. The team must now choose between the trusted, higher-priced veteran, Tucker, and the more affordable second-year player, Williams. If Tucker is released, it could allow “1A” RB Bucky Irving to hoard short-yardage and goal-line work, which would significantly boost his fantasy-scoring outlook.

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.

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.

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.

Buried in an article comparing Bucs RBs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, Stroud notes that RB3 Sean Tucker “morphed into the Bucs’ short-yardage and goal-line specialist a year ago and led the club with seven rushing touchdowns.” Many teams employ two-player backfields. Stretching it to three makes things tough for fantasy purposes. Stroud does not definitively state that Tucker will again operate as the short-yardage and goal-line specialist, but he shares that tidbit just before forecasting a balanced approach. Tucker’s role in the rotation must be monitored closely this spring and summer — not just for his fantasy value, but for Irving and Gainwell’s as well.

It was the right-of-first-refusal tender. Apparently the free agent market was not kind to Tucker. He’ll enter the year third on Tampa’s depth chart at running back behind Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, but could remain a thorn in Irving’s fantasy upside if he retains a sizeable red zone role under new OC Zac Robinson.