Sean

Tucker

As a result of this lingering issue, Bowles said the team will “limit him during the weeks so that he can play in the games.” In other words, don’t expect to see many reports of Irving being a full participant in many practices going forward. We’ve seen toe/foot injuries that start as minor worsen when players attempt to play through them. Irving is clearly going to attempt to play through whatever ailment he is dealing with, but considering this recent piece of news, fantasy managers rostering Sean Tucker should continue to hold him despite his light workload over the last two weeks.

Tucker played well behind Rachaad White and Bucky Irving in another pass-heavy game for the Bucs. Irving led the Bucs backfield with nine carries while White had six. The two main backs split 13 targets. Tucker would only be fantasy relevant if White or Irving missed time during the season’s second half.

Irving missed the Buccaneers’ previous two practices but got on the field Friday, giving himself a chance at playing in Week 8. Fantasy managers hoping to avoid Tampa’s newly found “three-headed monster” will need to decide whether or not Irving or Sean Tucker is worth throwing into their lineups after both played behind Rachaad White in Week 7’s loss to the Ravens. Irving was bailed out of a pedestrian fantasy day thanks in part to a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, but Tucker’s 4.8 PPR points left much to be desired. Irving was officially listed as questionable on the Bucs’ finally injury report. Taking Bowles at his word, Irving should be good to go by Sunday.

He was the clear third banana as he took an early-downs only share and the Buccaneers spent most of the game trailing. That doesn’t mean he can’t have fantasy value going forward, but it is hard to predict that a big game is coming next week against the Falcons without some affirmative words from the coaching staff about his role.

We will get White’s status for Week 7 when the Bucs release their final injury report on Saturday, but two limited sessions to start the week put him on the right side of questionable heading into the weekend. With both Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving playing well during his Week 6 absence, the outlook for this backfield is a nightmare for fantasy players. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen didn’t make things any better when he said all three backs will get a series early in the game and the Bucs will ride the hot hand from there. The ambiguity will keep White deep in the RB2 ranks if he is cleared for action over the weekend.

Auman, a former Bucs beat writer who now covers the NFC South, said he would “caution” the Tampa Bay backfield “will be a rotation” going forward, with Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving remaining key parts of the team’s offense. “White is probably still the first one in if he’s back healthy, but he’d do well to be productive,” Auman said. “Irving and Tucker have set the bar high for the position and will now get their share as well.” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that Tucker’s Week 6 emergence could create a “three-headed” backfield. White, among the most inefficient runners in the NFL, is in real danger of losing valuable touches in the Tampa backfield.

It’s a bit of a weird quote the way that the reporter asked it, but Tucker cutting into the RBBC in Tampa would be tough news for both Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. White stands to lose the most as he’d been widely outplayed by Irving before missing Week 6 against the Saints. Tucker probably won’t have the same level of success he had against the Saints — who looked like they’d never attempted to tackle a receiver — going forward. But he does suddenly find himself in a fantasy-interesting situation. He’ll be tough to rely on if White is healthy without first seeing him usurp White or Irving for a real role.

Tucker played a surprisingly large role in this game, especially on passing downs early in the contest. He took a screen pass 36 yards to the house in the first half and was on the field for obvious passing downs relatively often. Tucker then got to ice the game with six carries on the Bucs’ final drive. He totaled 64 yards and scored on that drive. Tucker was the less half of a committee this week, but that’s enough to land him in the RB4 ranks if Rachaad White remains sidelined for Week 7 against the Ravens.

Tucker was demoted from backup duties earlier in the year. He hasn’t touched the ball on offense since Week 3. Tucker has now been a healthy scratch in back-to-back games.

Vaughn took over as the Bucs’ RB2, relegating Sean Tucker to the bench. He saw ten touches, including a goal-line carry. The Buccaneers’ backfield belongs to Rachaad White, but the team’s RB2 (this week being Vaughn) will continue to get touches on a few possessions per game. Vaughn, however, is not worth a spot on fantasy rosters just yet.