Rachaad

White

For years there had been chatter about White losing his starting job in Tampa Bay, but no running back seemed to be able to pry it away from him despite how inefficient White was as a runner. It took a while for the changing of the guard, but this is clearly Bucky Irving’s backfield now. White finished the regular season by rushing for 613 yards on 144 carries with three touchdowns while adding 393 yards receiving on 51 catches (57 targets) with six touchdowns through the air. He had just five plays of over 20 yards all season. He could still be useful to Tampa Bay next year as a receiver, but he’s likely off fantasy radars for now.

With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Bucs didn’t take any chacnes with a backfield by committee in this game. Bucky Irving rushed 20 times for 113 yards and added another 77 yards on his four receptions. Sean Tucker ran eight times, seven of which came on the final drive after the starters left, and White even got one attempt on that drive. Garbage time aside, it was all Irving. White’s role on passing downs could keep him in the RB3 ranks for Week 18, but an easy win over the Saints doesn’t set up as a White game.

White did most of his work through the air with the team playing from behind throughout, while Bucky Irving saw the bulk of the carries. He did make a costly mistake by losing a fumble with under two minutes remaining, ultimately costing the Bucs a chance to steal a victory from the clutches of defeat. The Buccaneers host the Panthers in Week 17, an opponent that could afford more rushing opportunities than the team saw against the Cowboys.

White checked all of the boxes against the Chargers. His day was briefly jeopardized when he limped off after a red zone play but he was able to return after a short break. The big-bodied pass-catching specialist remains coaching catnip despite his inefficient rushing and ball security error; he is firmly entrenched as the Buccaneers’ primary RB in both scoring position and on pure passing downs. He is a worthwhile flex option against the Cowboys in Week 16.

White was in the game as a member of the Buccaneers’ green zone offense and got injured when his cleat briefly got stuck in the end zone turf, potentially implicating his knee or ankle. A Chargers defender bumped into him, as his foot was planted. White was then seen rolling onto his back before shaking out his right leg. He was walking gingerly on the sideline afterward but did not appear to be in an overwhelming amount of pain. Update: White was able to return but promptly lost a fumble, forced by Joey Bosa and recovered by DB Elijah Molden.

Irving’s back injury tightened up on him early in Week 14, forcing him to leave the game. He was listed as questionable to return but never did so. Irving would go on to miss two practices before getting in a very limited session on Friday. The team listed him as questionable at the end of the week. Irving will give it a go, but the risk of an in-game injury is uncomfortably high. He will likely give up more snaps than usual to Rachaad White as well. Irving was on track for a weekly RB1 ranking before suffering the back injury. He will spend a week in the RB2 ranks for his date with the Chargers.

Irving was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday and was not spotted at the media portion of practice on Friday. Regardless of what his practice status may be to close out the week, Bowles said Irving will be questionable for Week 15’s game against the Colts, making his status one to monitor over the weekend and potentially up to 90 minutes before kickoff when inactive are announced. If Irving can’t play, Rachaad White will step in as the team’s RB1 with Sean Tucker serving as his backup.

Irving has now missed two straight practices and is trending on the wrong side of playing in Week 15 against the Chargers. Head coach Todd Bowles said Irving needs his back “to loosen up” if he hopes to have a shot at playing this week, so we’ll see if any progress is made on that front come Friday. If he’s unable to play, Rachaad White would profile as a RB2, while Sean Tucker could have some upside as a streamer in deeper leagues.

Bucky Irving left this game early with a back injury and did not return, freeing up plenty of touches for White. He took advantage of the situation with two scores while averaging 5.7 yards per touch. Sean Tucker only touched the ball three times, though he did run for 47 yards. If Irving can’t suit up in Week 15, White will project for an RB1 workload versus Los Angeles. A tough matchup with the Chargers’ stout run defense could keep him at the top of the RB2 ranks, but fantasy managers taking White into the playoffs will be in a good spot either way.

Irving entered Sunday listed as questionable with back and hip injuries. The back issue seemingly flared up early in the game and he was pulled in the second quarter. Irving was spotted on the sidelines without his helmet before receiving the questionable designation. Rachaad White will take over as the primary back for Tampa Bay if he can’t return. Sean Tucker should also see an uptick in snaps.