Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

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Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans Has League-Winning Upside Entering Week 16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans exploded in his first game back from injury, hauling in six of 12 targets for 132 yards in the 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Against the defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to outside receivers this season, Evans took advantage, putting up his best stat line of the 2025 season. While his 1,000-yard streak is likely to come to an end this season, that doesn't mean he can't win fantasy managers' championships. Despite being limited to just 51% of the snaps in Week 15, Evans produced as the WR1 in this offense. He faces a Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which he has decimated in recent seasons. Evans has tallied over 90 receiving yards in eight of his last ten games against Carolina and has scored 10 touchdowns during that span. The Buccaneers are in must-win mode, so expect Evans to play a ton this week and beyond.

3 hours ago

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton Limited in Practice on Wednesday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday ahead of Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. Otton missed last Thursday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, but he's looking to make sure his absence doesn't span more than one week. Wednesday's limited practice session gives him a decent opportunity to upgrade to a full participant over the next two days. Even if he remains limited, though, he should have a strong chance to suit up against the Panthers in Sunday's battle for the top spot in the NFC South. Otton ranks as the overall TE26 in PPR leagues this year with 46 catches, 430 yards, and zero touchdowns. He typically struggles when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. are healthy, which should be the case on Sunday. As a result, managers can expect Otton to rank outside the top 24 fantasy tight ends in Week 16.

16 hours ago

Mike Evans • WR • Buccaneers

Mike Evans Logs a Limited Practice

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was limited on Wednesday after returning from a six-game absence to play and dominate in the team's Week 15 loss to the Falcons. After missing nearly two months with a broken collarbone, Evans caught six of 10 targets on Thursday night for 132 yards. While he played only 38 of 69 total offensive snaps, his 28 routes run were second-most on the team behind Chris Godwin, while his 4.71 yards per route run trailed only Puka Nacua and Luther Burden III across the league. At 32 years old, with a serious list of injuries sustained this season alone, the limited practice to begin the week is not unexpected, but fantasy managers will still need to monitor his status before a pivotal Week 16 matchup with the Panthers.

17 hours ago

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Ready to Unleash in Week 16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving took on the majority of the workload in Week 15, totaling just 71 scrimmage yards on 17 attempts. Since returning from shoulder and foot injuries in Week 13, Irving has totaled 233 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 53 attempts, averaging 13.4 PPR points per game. While he started the season as the primary workhorse in this Buccaneers' offense, Irving has been limited to just 54% of the snaps, while backups Rachaad White (43% and Sean Tucker (14%) have been factors. Irving faces the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. In his only two games against the Panthers in his career, he has had over 185 scrimmage yards in both outings. In a must-win game for the Buccaneers and with his favorable history against Carolina, look for Irving to unleash in Week 16.

Yesterday

Tez Johnson • WR • Buccaneers

Tez Johnson Now Buried on Tampa's Receiver Depth Chart

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson was forced into meaningful snaps in his first year in the NFL this year due to injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. In a five-game stretch from Oct. 5 to Nov. 9, Johnson was on the fantasy football map with 18 receptions on 27 targets for 247 yards and four touchdown catches. In five games since then, though, as the Buccaneers' receiving corps has inched closer to full health, Johnson has caught just five of 10 targets for 32 yards and one touchdown. Evans, Godwin, and McMillan have all returned from their injuries, leaving the seventh-rounder out of Oregon near the bottom of the WR depth chart to close out the season. Johnson has not caught a pass in the last two games on just one target, and he has just one catch for five yards in the last three games. The 23-year-old played 15 snaps in last Thursday's loss to Atlanta, his lowest snap count since his Week 1 debut.

Yesterday

Sterling Shepard • WR • Buccaneers

Sterling Shepard on Wrong Side of Numbers Crunch

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard was active for the team's Week 15 Thursday night loss to the Falcons, but he did not log a single snap. With Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan both available, Shepard failed to get off the sidelines for the first time this season. Already finding himself pushed down the depth chart in recent weeks, Shepard had topped 25 receiving yards only once in his last seven games before Thursday night's blanking, while being held to single digits in three of those contests. The return to health of Evans and McMillan has now made him a non-factor for fantasy purposes, and the 32-year-old can be comfortably dropped in all league formats.

Yesterday

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Best Left for Deep Leagues

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan made his season debut in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, catching both of his two targets for 38 yards. McMillan spent the entire season up until that point on Injured Reserve after suffering multiple fractures and ligament damage in his neck during a preseason game, but he made a full recovery and will be a factor in the Bucs' passing game over the final few games. The second-year wideout's upside in fantasy football is limited with all of Tampa Bay's wide receivers healthy at the same time for the first time this season. McMillan's 47.5% route share last week ranked fourth on the team behind Chris Godwin Jr., Mike Evans, and rookie Emeka Egbuka. While McMillan ended his rookie season on a high note with seven touchdowns over the final five games, his opportunities will likely be too inconsistent to rely on in standard-sized leagues to end this season.

2 days ago

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Chris Godwin Jr. Should Be Back on the Fantasy Radar

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has stepped back into a meaningful role after missing five games with a fibula injury earlier this season. Godwin has worked his way back into the mix, with 12 catches over the last three games for a total of 153 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came on Thursday Night Football against the Falcons in Week 15, when he hauled in four of his five targets for 20 yards. Godwin and the Bucs have a big divisional matchup against the Panthers this week in Week 16, and they'll meet again in Week 18. In between, they'll face the Dolphins, so Godwin has solid potential working out of the slot over the next few games. He clearly has the trust of Baker Mayfield and will continue to be a fringe PPR option for the next few weeks.

2 days ago

Sean Tucker • RB • Buccaneers

Sean Tucker Is a Touchdown-Reliant Flex Pickup

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker isn't the primary running back for the Buccaneers, like he was during his breakout performances, but he is still getting enough work to have touchdown-dependent fantasy value. Tucker has found the end zone in each of the last two weeks, taking seven carries for 29 yards against the Saints, followed by four carries for seven yards against the Falcons. Tucker has six touchdowns in his last seven games, and it seems like he'll continue to get enough short-yardage chances to be a touchdown-dependent flex option for deep leagues.

2 days ago

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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

7 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.

7 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.

7 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.

7 days ago

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