Tampa Bay

Buccaneers

With the Bucs struggling to pass without LT Tristan Wirfs and dialing up obvious runs in rainy Tampa conditions, none of their three backs could get anything going in the efficiency department. So fantasy managers breathed a sigh of relief when Irving contributed a 24-yard receiving score in the first quarter. Beyond that, there just wasn’t anything doing beyond a 32-yard, non-scoring run. Irving has now found the end zone twice in two games since returning, but his 32 rushes have produced just 116 yards (3.6 YPC). Hopefully he can maintain that volume but chew more meat off the bone in a plus Week 15 matchup with the Falcons.

Struggling mightily in rainy Tampa conditions — more so than rookie Tyler Shough — Mayfield posted by far his fewest yards for a 2025 start he managed to play to completion. The rain was wreaking havoc, perhaps including on what should have been a walk-in, game-tying fourth quarter touchdown to Emeka Egbuka. Baker didn’t throw a perfect ball, but the rookie definitely should have caught it. Mayfield was also victimized by a late, uncalled DPI on Cade Otton, as well as multiple Bucs fourth-down rushing failures. It was just “one of those days,” but these days have been too frequent for the Bucs this season. Perhaps Mike Evans’ likely Week 15 return will change the calculus against the Falcons on Thursday. Mayfield will be a borderline QB1 for that one.

It’s a big blow for the Bucs on a rainy day in Tampa, though it at least comes in a soft Saints matchup. Wirfs tried to give it a go, so he will probably be on the right side of questionable for Week 15. Also inactive for the Bucs are QB Connor Bazelak, OG Elijah Klein, S Kaevon Merriweather, CB Benjamin Morrison and DL Elijah Simmons.

The same is true of rookie corner Benjamin Morrison, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Wrifs got in one limited practice this week before being listed as questionable. He was always going to be a long-shot to play after missing the first two practices of the week. The fact that he returned on Friday at least indicates that he could be back for Week 15 versus Atlanta. Graham Barton moved from center to left tackle when Wirfs missed time at the start of the year. The Bucs will likely make that move again this week.

Evans is currently on injured reserve while recovering from the broken clavicle he suffered in Week 7. The team opened his practice window earlier this week, allowing him to return to the practice field as he prepares to play. Evans has been ruled out for Week 14 already, but it sounds like Week 15 is on the table. If not, fantasy managers can assume he will be back in the lineup for Week 16 versus the Panthers.

Irving totaled 19 touches in his first game back from a lengthy injury, finishing as the half-PPR RB14. It was a promising showing. Irving can be treated as a trusted RB1 against the Saints this weekend, once again operating as the Buccaneers’ clear-cut lead back.

Just one week ago, Mayfield’s availability was in question. He played through the AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder last week, albeit in pain, but he is once again ready to roll for game day. The Buccaneers’ quarterback practiced fully on consecutive days to close the week. He can be treated as a borderline QB1/2. Unfortunately, WR Mike Evans (collarbone) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) will not play.

Godwin practiced fully on Thursday before logging a limited session on Friday. We suspect this was just rest. Godwin and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka will again operate as the team’s top-two wide receivers, with WR Mike Evans (collarbone) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) having been ruled out. Godwin with a FLEX.

Wirfs did not practice either of Wednesday or Thursday, but got in a limited session on Friday and is likely trending towards playing. The fact that he’s questionable isn’t encouraging, but most offensive linemen that practice eventually wind up playing on Sunday. Wirfs would be a huge loss for the Buccaneers if he weren’t able to go.

McMillan was limited in practice this week but will need at least one more week to recover from the neck injury he suffered in the Buccaneers’ second preseason game. McMillan is eligible to return at any time now that the Buccaneers have opened his 21-day return window. It’s possible he’ll be activated in time for Week 15’s Thursday night matchup against the Falcons.