Asked about his plans for the backfield on Wednesday, Bucs HC Todd Bowles said it'll change on a "game-by-game basis" and be a "hot-hand" situation. Bowles also confirmed that RB Rachaad White will start Sunday's opener vs. the Commanders.
Bowles on his backfield: “I think it’ll be a game-by-game basis. You normally go with the hot hand, but since nobody has played yet, you know, obviously Rachaad [White] starts and then we’ll kinda go from there and see how the other guys are used.”
This is clearly a bullish signal for RB Bucky Irving. White will get the first crack at establishing that hot hand as the incumbent, but the fact that Bowles is leaving this situation up for grabs is all the rookie can ask for.
Irving shouldn't be in Week 1 fantasy lineups but is one of the stronger No. 2 RB stashes in fantasy football. He had a nice preseason, averaging 4.4 yards per carry with a score on 18 attempts. He ranked 21st in Pro Football Focus rushing grade among 146 qualifiers.
White was an inefficient runner last year, averaging 3.6 yards per carry and ranking 44th among 49 qualifiers in NFL Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt.
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