Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Buccaneers RB Rachaad White again shined as the focal point of Tampa Bay's offense, totaling 25 carries for 102 rushing yards in Week 14 vs. the Falcons. The second-year back also roped in 2 catches for 33 yards and a TD in the contest. White has now seen at least 20 carries in three of his last five games and sets up fantasy managers well with a true workhorse role. He'll look to continue his fantasy dominance again in Week 15 vs. the Packers, a defense that's surrendered the third-most rushing yards (1,635) and yards per game (136.3) in the NFL this season. We'll see how they fare on Monday night vs. the Giants, but it's worth noting that Green Bay has allowed four straight games with at least 140 yards to opposing offenses. You're in excellent shape if you're rolling into the fantasy playoffs with White on your roster.

Buccaneers OC Dave Canales told reporters Thursday that he has to do a better job of getting the ball to WR Chris Godwin. That, of course, comes after Godwin went catchless on 3 targets in a narrow Week 13 victory over Carolina. HC Todd Bowles previously pointed to Godwin being banged up when asked about the WR's quiet day, but Godwin saw no decrease in playing time. Canales also said that Godwin did a good job of preparing himself for that game. The coach called Godwin "magic with the ball" and said he's "not satisfied with how we're using Chris in our offense." Canales indicated he needs to get more quick passes schemed to the veteran. Don't get overly excited this week about Godwin, who has 1 TD catch all year and is averaging his fewest receptions per game (4.4) since 2018, his second year in the league. But Godwin gets a rematch with Atlanta. He drew a season-high 12 targets in the first meeting and posted a 6-66 receiving line. Godwin looks like a WR3 option in PPR leagues for Week 14, with upside into WR2 range.

A reporter asked Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles on Monday if he was surprised that WR Chris Godwin didn't catch a pass in Sunday's win over the Panthers. Bowles blamed it on them "subbing him out a lot" and said he's "probably banged up more than most." Perhaps the neck injury that rendered Godwin questionable for the game limited his performance. But he still ran two more routes than Mike Evans and played 84% of offensive snaps, right in Godwin's usual range. We'll watch his practice participation this week. But the bigger limitation on Godwin's Week 14 projection will probably his lackluster recent production. Even before the receiving goose egg in Week 13, Godwin had averaged just 3.8 receptions and 38.5 yards over his previous four games. He's looking like a WR4 in PPR formats.

Buccaneers RB Rachaad White handled 20 carries for 84 rushing yards and a TD in Week 13 vs. the Panthers. The second-year back also recorded 3 catches for 22 yards. The 23 touches were White's second-most this season. But he has reached 20 carries in three of the past five games and fallen short of 17 touches in just three games all season. The Buccaneers' remaining schedule ranks seventh-toughest for RBs, but White's usage has been game-script resistant. Five Bucs losses have seen White fall short of 15 carries. He has caught at least three passes in each of those, including 6+ receptions in each of the past three such games. White's also averaging 99.9 total yards per game since Week 7. Don't be scared by the difficulty of his matchups. Start White confidently (in most cases) the rest of the season.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin (neck) is active for today’s game vs. the Panthers. Godwin was added to Thursday's injury report with the neck issue, did not practice on Friday, and was reportedly a game-time decision today. He carries elevated risk in Week 13 fantasy lineups but is available if you were waiting on him.

ESPN's Adam Schefter calls Bucs WR Chris Godwin (neck) "likely" to play vs. the Panthers today. "But the team needs to make sure he feels OK in pre-game warmups first," Schefter adds. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport had a similar report, saying Godwin "plans to play Sunday vs. Carolina as long as he wakes up feeling good." That's a 4:05 pm ET kickoff, so we won't get the Bucs' inactives until a little after 2:30. If you're hoping to use Godwin today, it'd be wise to have another late-game option rostered just in case Godwin ends up sitting.

The Buccaneers have ruled out LB Lavonte David (groin) and LB Devin White (foot) for Sunday's game against the Panthers. No. 3 LB SirVocea Dennis is also doubtful with an illness. That leaves K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell as the only non-edge LBs on the depth chart. Britt has 33 total tackles through three pro seasons. Russell has 7 since entering the league in 2022. Neither looks like a guy worth attention in your IDP league. The dearth of LBs could help Carolina's passing game over the middle. We wouldn't give the Panthers' run game a significant upgrade, though. Tampa Bay also ruled CB Jamel Dean out.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles labeled WR Chris Godwin (neck) a game-time decision for Sunday's meeting with the Panthers. Godwin was added to Thursday's injury report with the neck issue. We'll look for further updates on Godwin but won't get Tampa Bay's inactives until a little after 2:30 pm ET on Sunday. The neck injury adds risk to a guy who only looked like a WR3 anyway.

Update: Godwin did not practice on Friday and is officially listed as questionable.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin was added to Thursday's injury report with a neck and limited in practice. Godwin was on the injury report with a neck back in Week 8 but wound up playing. We'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He was able to play through the ankle injury last week and will be ready for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield injured his right ankle on a QB sneak in the first quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Colts. He was able to return and finish out the game, completing 20 of 30 passes for 199 yards, two TDs, and one INT. But Mayfield took six sacks and was clearly missing his usual mobility. Neither Mayfield nor HC Todd Bowles would guarantee afterward that Mayfield will be able to play vs. the Panthers this weekend. “I’ll have to wait until he gets checked out and see how bad it is after the game once he puts it up. That’s going to be the tell-tale sign," Bowles said. We'll look for further updates on Mayfield's injury and track his practice participation this week. QB Kyle Trask would get the start if Mayfield is out.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin again played second fiddle to WR Mike Evans in the Week 12 loss to the Colts. While Evans tallied a big 6-70-2 line on 9 targets, Godwin caught just three of his seven targets for 45 yards. He's now been held under 60 yards in eight of 11 games this season. And he remains stuck on one TD. Godwin now has more weekly PPR finishes of WR40 or worse (5) than top-30 finishes (4). He can't be considered more than a WR3 going forward, especially with three straight negative matchups coming up against the Panthers, Falcons, and Packers.

Bucs RB Rachaad White did not seem at all inhibited by the knee issue that landed him on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game vs. the Colts. He took 15 carries for a season-high 100 yards, highlighted by a 38-yard rip in the fourth quarter. White was quieter than usual in the passing game, catching both of his targets for 10 yards. But White has now totaled 98+ yards in five of his last six games. He gets another plus matchup in Week 13 against the Panthers' 30th-ranked RB defense. White's schedule toughens from that point on, with negative matchups against Atlanta, Jacksonville, and New Orleans between Weeks 14 and 17. But White's passing-game role will keep him comfortably in fantasy-starter range in those games.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield suffered an apparent right knee injury on a QB sneak in the first quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Colts. He's been replaced by QB Kyle Trask. We'll update Mayfield's status when we know more.

Update: Mayfield returned on Tampa Bay's next possession.

Bucs RB Rachaad White (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Colts. He was added to the injury report on Saturday as a precaution, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, after his knee “locked up” on Friday. That’s a little spooky – but there’s been nothing to suggest that White will be limited today. The Bucs have their usual three RBs active (White, Chase Edmonds, and Sean Tucker), which is further indication that there's no concern with White. He belongs in the vast majority of fantasy lineups against Indianapolis’ 31st-ranked RB defense.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Bucs RB Rachaad White's knee is "fine" and that he will play vs. the Colts today. White was added to the injury report on Saturday "only as a matter of precaution" after his knee "briefly locked up on Friday," according to Schefter. But "there is nothing structurally wrong with White’s knee." We'll continue to keep an eye on White up to and throughout today's game. But he can stay in starting fantasy lineups in this plus matchup against the Colts' 31st-ranked RB defense.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that Bucs RB Rachaad White (knee) is expected to play vs. the Colts on Sunday. White was added to the injury report on Saturday and is listed as questionable. We'll look for further updates on his status and how big an issue that knee might be in Indianapolis.

The Buccaneers on Saturday added RB Rachaad White to the injury report as questionable with a knee issue. White didn’t turn up on any of the week’s practice reports, so this issue must have arisen at some point since Friday’s practice. We’ll obviously need to watch White’s status up until game time against the Colts. If he can’t go, Chase Edmonds looks like the next guy up. He was the only other Bucs RB to play any offensive snaps last week. Edmonds played just 21%, though, and White has dominated backfield touches all season. We’d bet on more of a committee in his absence than Edmonds taking over that role. Edmonds can work as an insurance option, though, if you don’t have a better replacement available

The Buccaneers have officially ruled LB Lavonte David (groin) and CB Jamel Dean (ankle, foot) out for Sunday's game against the Colts. David is the more impactful absence, both for the Tampa defense and IDP lineups. This was the expectation reported earlier this week, though. Rookie Sirvocea Dennis looks like the replacement. LB Devin White (foot) is also questionable for the game. he's expected to be a game-time decision, according to multiple reports. White played through the issue for 100% snap share last week despite following the same practice schedule he did this week: out, out, limited. We'll see about his status Sunday. CB Carlton Davis (hip) is also questionable. He missed Week 10 and then saw his playing time limited a bit (75%) last week but finished this week with a full Friday practice.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Buccaneers LB Lavonte David is "considered a long shot" to play against the Colts this week because of a groin injury. We have removed David from the Week 12 LB rankings and given LB Devin White a tackle boost. We'll have to watch White's status as well, as he missed Wednesday's practice with a foot issue. He started last week the same way, though, and wound up playing every snap. Expect rookie LB SirVocea Dennis to start in David's place.