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As Bucs beat writer Greg Auman points out, Irving is on pace for 315 carries this season, which would have been the second most in the league last year. Irving has not missed a game yet this season, but after injuries limited him to 10 games in 2025, it’s not surprising to learn Bowles may want to dial things back a bit. The efficient play of Kenneth Gainwell in recent weeks has also earned him an expanded look, and it should instill a bit of confidence in OC Zac Robinson when asking him to spell Irving in certain situations. With the Bucs now entering their bye week, we will get our first look at how the team plans to deploy its backfield in Week 11 when they visit the Lions.

The only positive to take from this is every Tampa Bay receiver who caught a pass clobbered their production from the week before. Godwin did have a 12-yard rush, but it’s another clunker for the wideout in a year where Godwin has yet to reach 50 yards. It’s a mistake to bet that mark will be reached in Week 11 against the Lions after their bye.

Otton was targeted a couple of times in the end zone, but Baker Mayfield wasn’t able to connect with the tight end on either attempt. The 25 yards are his most since Week 5, but it’s still a middling — at best — effort for the 27-year-old. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere in Week 11 against the Lions after Tampa Bay’s bye.

It was Egbuka’s first game since Week 6 because of his foot injury, and it was pretty similar to his previous efforts in 2026. He was able to get lose for a 21-yard catch from the arm of Baker Mayfield, but once again, he was unable to eclipse 50 yards; a mark he hasn’t bested since Week 3. Egbuka is a high-floor, low-ceiling WR3 going forward, and the next chance will come after a bye in Week 11 against the Lions.

Johnson’s 58-yard connection with Baker Mayfield set up a rushing score from Bucky Irving. He also had two big drops on third down that would have kept drives going for the Bucs, and on the first he was seen taking out his frustration on his helmet. Johnson ended up leading the Bucs in receiving yards and tied for the lead in targets, but that’s not quite the compliment it should be. Johnson and Tampa Bay get a bye before a showdown with the Lions in Week 11.

Most of Gainwell’s yardage came on a 44-yard busted coverage that set up the Bucs’ first score of the game. He found little room in the run game after gashing the Falcons for 140 yards. The 1A/1B talk that head coach Todd Bowles mentioned with Gainwell and Bucky Irving never really came to fruition, as Irving was much more effective with 97 yards on the ground and a pair of scores. Gainwell remains a RB3 going forward, with his next chance to contribute coming in Week 11 against the Lions after their bye.

Irving was held in check for the first three quarters outside of a short rushing touchdown, but broke several tackles to open the fourth quarter on a 25-yard gain. He scored again in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24-24 and now has six rushing scores in 2026. It wasn’t quite the monster effort he produced against the Falcons (27/170/1) the week prior, but still a very strong fantasy day for the 24-year-old tailback. Irving should be considered as an RB1 against the Lions in Week 11 after a bye.

Well, it was infinitely better than last week. Mayfield made two long connections; a 44-yarder to Kenny Gainwell to set up a field goal, and a beautiful 58-yard lob to Tez Johnson that was followed by Bucky Irving score. Unfortunately, his only scoring pass went the wrong way as it was a 67-yard pick-six from Jaylon Johnson that made it a two-score game. He did at least run in a two-point conversion that tied the game at 24-24, but the Bears were able to pull out the win on a last-second field goal. Mayfield also looked to be uncomfortable on the sidelines, as the Bears generated pressure throughout the contest. The Bucs get a needed bye next week, and Mayfield will be a QB2 for Week 11 against the Lions.

As expected, Egbuka is back after missing two games with his foot injury. The wideout has been heavily targeted when healthy, but hasn’t been particularly effective with those opportunities with zero games over 65 yards in 2026. The Bucs’ inactives for Week 9 will be OLB Yaya Diaby, G Trevor Keegan, G Billy Schrauth, CB Ayden Garnes and DL DeMonte Capehart.

Egbuka missed two games with the foot injury, though a concussion also kept him out for one of them. He practiced in full on Friday, so we’re not expecting much of a pitch count for the second-year wideout. Without anyone emerging as a viable replacement for Egbuka over the past two weeks, he should reclaim the No. 1 receiver role in Tampa Bay without much of a fight. Egbuka will be on the WR2/3 border for his first game back.