Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

NFC SOUTH

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Chris Godwin Jr. Scores an Octopus in Week 15 Loss

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. caught four of his five targets for 20 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion during Thursday's Week 15 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Godwin scored an octopus, which is when a player is responsible for eight points in a sequence of two plays -- a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. Although his yardage total was relatively low, the 29-year-old maintained decent volume even amid the return of Mike Evans, which bodes well for Godwin's fantasy outlook over the final few weeks of the season. He has scored double-digit fantasy points (PPR) in each of his last three games, and he should remain in the mid-to-low WR2 tier heading into Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers.

3 days ago

Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans Wastes No Time Making a Big Impact in Return

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans caught six of his 12 targets for 132 yards during Thursday's Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 32-year-old was activated from injured reserve earlier this week after recovering from a broken collarbone, and he wasted no time playing an enormous role in his return to action. Managers did hold their breath momentarily as Evans suffered an injury scare and left midgame with an apparent shoulder issue, but he returned shortly after and played the remainder of the game. After watching the star receiver step up as Baker Mayfield's favorite and best target once again on Thursday, managers should trust that Evans will remain in the WR1 tier for the remainder of the season. He should be started in all fantasy leagues next week against the Carolina Panthers.

3 days ago

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield Throws Costly Interception in Loss to Falcons

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 19 of his 34 pass attempts for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception during Thursday's Week 15 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. He also took five sacks in the defeat. Mayfield was decent for most of the game, but he threw a costly interception in the fourth quarter that allowed the Falcons to mount an improbable comeback. The 30-year-old has really struggled to hit his receivers in the back half of the season, completing just 54.7% of his passes over the Bucs' last five games. He ranks 21st among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game during that span. Managers will hope that he can bounce back in a key divisional battle against the Panthers next week, but it won't be easy. Carolina has intercepted five passes over its last two games. Mayfield remains outside the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks for the time being.

3 days ago

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Making his Season Debut in Week 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) will make his 2025 season debut in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. McMillan was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but was listed as questionable to play this week. The 24-year-old second-year wideout suffered multiple fractures and ligament damage in his neck in a preseason game in August, but he's finally ready to contribute down the stretch for Tampa. With veteran Mike Evans (collarbone) also back for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Week 7, the Bucs' receiving corps is finally back to full strength for the first time this year. McMillan had a pretty big role in the offense to close out his rookie campaign with Chris Godwin Jr. on the shelf, and he finished with a 37-461-8 line in 13 games. However, in a crowded WR room this year and with limited snaps likely coming in his first game back, McMillan won't be a recommended fantasy play against Atlanta.

3 days ago

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton Ruled Out Against Falcons

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee), who was listed as doubtful for Week 15, has officially been ruled out for Thursday night's contest against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Otton suffered a knee injury in the Week 14 loss to the New Orleans Saints and will miss this week's game on a short week after missing practice Monday through Wednesday. The 26-year-old's next opportunity to play will come in Week 16 versus the division-rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 21. With Otton sidelined on Thursday night, Payne Durham and Devin Culp figure to share snaps at the TE position for the Bucs. Fantasy managers should be looking to avoid the Bucs' TE situation with Otton out this week. Otton has recorded 46 receptions for 430 yards and no touchdowns on 66 targets through 14 weeks in 2025.

3 days ago

Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans Officially Active on Thursday Night

As expected, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is active for the Thursday night game against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. It's excellent news for a Buccaneers team desperate for a win as they look to keep their lead in the NFC South division over the Carolina Panthers. The 32-year-old Evans has played in only four games in 2025 due to a hamstring injury and a broken collarbone. The future Hall of Famer had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons coming into this season, but he'll be extremely volatile for fantasy managers in his first game back following a long layoff. Evans will be on the field on Thursday, but he's expected to be on a snap count, which will make him extremely risky in starting fantasy lineups in what is the first week of the playoffs in most leagues. Keep in mind that Evans wasn't cleared to take contact in any of the practices he was involved in after rejoining the team last week.

3 days ago

Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans Expected to Play Thursday, But Only on Key Downs?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone), who is questionable to play on Thursday night against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, is expected to be active, sources tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. However, Evans isn't expected to play every snap in his first game back since breaking his collarbone back in Week 7. With the future Hall of Famer likely to be on a pitch count in Week 15, it makes him extremely hard to trust in starting fantasy football lineups, especially for those who are in playoff matchups. The 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowler has been limited to only four games in 2025 and has 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown for the Bucs. The former first-rounder could absolutely be a difference-maker later in the fantasy football playoffs once he's back up to speed, but he'll be a major dice roll on Thursday Night Football.

3 days ago

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Heating Up Heading into Fantasy Playoffs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has worked his way back from injury and is starting to heat up at the perfect time for fantasy managers. Since making his return in Week 13. Irving has totaled 162 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in the past two games. His snap count has been limited since returning, as he's played just 53% of the snaps, while Rachaad White has played 44% and Sean Tucker has played 16%. Hopefully, Irving can pull away from this rotation as he did in his rookie season, where he averaged 17.4 PPR points per game from Week 15 on. He faces the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, who Irving has yet to eclipse 45 rushing yards in his NFL career. Despite his previous struggles against this Falcons defense, fantasy managers should fire up the second-year back as a low-end RB1 in Week 15.

3 days ago

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Chris Godwin Jr. Returning To Form?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. missed most of the past year following a gruesome leg injury last season, but he has begun to show some of his old form just as the fantasy playoffs are set to begin in 2025. The veteran has 13 targets for eight catches and 133 yards in the past two weeks, though a Bucs receiver room that has been decimated by injuries could be getting closer to full health. Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) have been activated from injured reserve, which could cause a shuffle ahead of Tampa's Week 15 game against Atlanta. The Falcons rank 22nd against PPR receivers, which is normally a green-light matchup, but managers rostering Godwin will shoulder some risk if the Bucs have Evans available to take targets away from other Bucs pass catchers.

3 days ago

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Should be Avoided if he's Active on Thursday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) is currently questionable to make his season debut versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 on Thursday night. McMillan has been sidelined all season due to a neck injury he suffered in mid-August in the preseason. Both McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) were activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. It seems that both wideouts are trending in the right direction ahead of Thursday's matchup with Atlanta. There might be too many mouths to feed for McMillan to be a viable fantasy contributor, though. Rookie Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Evans will all likely be ahead of McMillan in the pecking order. There's some stash value here in deeper formats, but McMillan won't be a recommended starting option in 12-team leagues in Week 15 if he makes his 2025 debut on TNF.

4 days ago

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Chris Godwin Jr. Should Offer WR3 Upside

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has been a decent contributor on offense over the last two games as he puts a fractured fibula in the rearview mirror. Godwin had a season-high five receptions for 55 yards during last week's loss to the New Orleans Saints. The 29-year-old has been seeing more involvement lately, but that could change, beginning on Thursday night versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Both Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) have been activated from Injured Reserve and could suit up against the Falcons. If that happens, Godwin could quickly see a reduced role in this offense. The good news is that Godwin is the best slot receiver on this roster and should remain a key part of the passing attack. He should still see enough work to muster up WR3/flex value this week.

4 days ago

Emeka Egbuka • WR • Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka Offers Shaky WR3 Value in Week 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has struggled to produce any consistent numbers over the last month of the season. Egbuka has finished with 42 receiving yards or fewer in four straight games. His target share has been there, with eight targets or more in seven consecutive contests. Unfortunately, Egbuka and quarterback Baker Mayfield aren't on the same page right now. Egbuka's fantasy value could drop even more going forward with veteran Mike Evans (collarbone) trending in the right direction to return in Week 15. Egbuka figures to lose targets to Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. to close out what has been a strong first NFL season. The rookie wideout has enough big-play potential to warrant a look for the Thursday night matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons, but fantasy managers might want to temper their expectations for him as a WR3/flex.

4 days ago

Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans is a Risky Starting Option if he Returns on Thursday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is considered questionable ahead of the upcoming Thursday night matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. Evans was activated off Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be active this week. The veteran wideout has missed the last six games due to a broken collarbone that he suffered in Week 7. Before that, Evans missed three games due to a hamstring injury, so it's been an injury-plagued 12th season for the future Hall of Famer. There's a good chance that Evans has a limited snap count if he is active on Thursday night. He hasn't played a full game since Week 3. Everyone is aware of Evans' big-play ability, but the risk might outweigh the reward of starting him in what is the first week of the fantasy playoffs in a lot of leagues.

4 days ago

Rachaad White • RB • Buccaneers

Rachaad White a Risky Choice for Week 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has fallen back into the No. 2 role in Tampa's backfield. White took over as the lead back earlier this year when Bucky Irving missed seven games due to foot and shoulder injuries. Irving is back up to full speed, though, so White has been delegated to change-of-pace duties. Last week, White rushed the ball 11 times for 53 yards in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. It was actually a bit surprising to see White average 4.82 yards per carry. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect those results weekly, especially with fewer touches. White belongs on the bench in most fantasy formats for the upcoming Thursday night matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons.

4 days ago

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving has RB1 Upside Against Falcons

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has seen a heavy workload since making his return in Week 13. Over the last two games, Irving has carried the ball 32 times for 116 rushing yards with one touchdown on the ground. Irving has also added four receptions for 46 yards and an additional score as a pass-catcher. The 23-year-old should be a full-go for the upcoming Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, a defensive unit that has been middle-of-the-road when it comes to fantasy points allowed to opposing backs this season. Irving should continue to see the vast majority of backfield work for the Bucs, especially with quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) struggling to find consistency in the passing game right now. Fantasy managers should feel fine about penciling in Irving as an RB1 in Week 15.

4 days ago

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield Holds Low-End QB1 Value for Week 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is looking to break out of his slump against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night in Week 15. Mayfield hasn't been himself lately, with fewer than 200 passing yards in each of his last four games. He suffered an AC joint sprain during the loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, which could still be impacting Mayfield's performance on the field. The 30-year-old does have a plus matchup against the Falcons' defense this week, though. All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) could be making his return to the field as well. Evans has been out since Week 7, but his return should give Mayfield a boost in fantasy value. It has been a disappointing couple of weeks for Mayfield, but fantasy managers should be able to trust him as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2. In the Week 1 win over Atlanta, the veteran signal-caller threw three touchdown passes.

4 days ago

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Questionable to Make his Season Debut in Week 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) was limited in practice all week and is officially listed as questionable to play in Week 15 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud. The Bucs' offense is getting healthy at the right time, with both McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. However, they are both up in the air to be active on Thursday. The 24-year-old McMillan fractured bones in his neck and sustained ligament damage during the preseason, so he'll most likely be eased back into the offense if he's active this week. McMillan finished his rookie season strong in 2024, but he's returning to a very crowded WR room that includes Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson. For now, McMillan is merely a stash option in deeper fantasy leagues.

4 days ago

Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans Officially Questionable for Thursday Night Game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was limited in practice all week and is officially questionable to play on Thursday night against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Evans was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, though, and head coach Todd Bowles said that the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer has done everything he's needed to do to be active this week for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Week 7. The veteran pass-catcher has yet to take contact in practice, though, so he's iffy to play on Thursday night. But the Bucs are desperate for a win as they seek to stay atop the NFC South division. Evans needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues, but he'll be a pretty shaky starting option if he's active while being at risk of limited snaps in his first game back.

4 days ago

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton Considered Doubtful for Thursday Night

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that tight end Cade Otton (knee) is doubtful to play in Week 15 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Otton missed practice on Monday and Tuesday but was seen on the practice field on Wednesday. Apparently, it wasn't enough to convince the coaching staff that he's ready to play on a short week. The good news for Tampa is that they could be getting both receivers Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) back in Week 15. Fantasy managers who had the 26-year-old Otton in their starting lineups need to move him to the bench this week. Payne Durham should be the Bucs' top pass-catching option at TE on Thursday, but fantasy managers should have better streaming options available. Durham has one catch for 11 yards in 13 games this year and 17 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns in 42 career games.

4 days ago

Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans has "Shown Everything he Needed to Show" to Return in Week 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) has "shown everything he needed to show in practice" to be activated off Injured Reserve for the team's Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. All indications are pointing to Evans making his return on Thursday night from a broken collarbone that has sidelined him since Week 7. Across the four games he's been active for this season, the 32-year-old has hauled in 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets. Given the long injury layoff, Tampa Bay could choose to work him back in slowly and limit his snap share in Week 15. Still, Evans could immediately slot in as the Buccaneers' top pass-catcher alongside wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin. If active, Evans profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 15.

4 days ago

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