Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has continued to work his way into a larger role on this offense. Last week, Irving saw a career-high 10 carries for 49 yards and scored his first rushing touchdown of his career. Irving has seen 12 touches or more in three of the first four games this season. Lead back Rachaad White has struggled and Irving has played so well that it has turned into more of a committee approach. Honestly, Irving seems more like the lead back as his big-play ability is hard to ignore. He'll head into a tough matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. A defense that has done a nice job at holding running backs in check. Irving should continue seeing an increased workload which should only increase his fantasy value. He's worth rostering in most fantasy formats and has flex appeal in certain formats for Week 5.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off a game where he threw for nearly 350 yards in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Mayfield tossed two touchdowns and even rushed into the end zone for a score as the Bucs picked up their third win of the season. The veteran signal-caller has eight touchdowns with only two interceptions on the season as he heads into a Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. A defensive unit that has been average in terms of holding opposing quarterback in check. Fantasy managers should be able to continue believing in Mayfield as he should be considered a high-end QB2 for this Thursday night contest.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (calf, knee) won't carry an injury designation into Thursday night's divisional contest against the Atlanta Falcons to kick off Week 5 action. Evans was held out of practice on Monday but was limited on Tuesday and Wednesday and is good to go. Fellow receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) will not play, which means veteran Sterling Shepard will serve as the WR3 for Tampa behind Evans and Chris Godwin against Atlanta. Now that we know for sure that Evans is good to go, he should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups as he looks for a second straight strong week. In the win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, Evans had season-highs in catches (eight) and yards (94) while finding the end zone for the third time in 2024. It was a nice bounce-back after catching just two passes for 17 yards the week prior.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) have been ruled out of the Thursday Night Football contest against the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. McMillan suffered a hamstring injury in last Friday's practice and did not play in Week 4, while Palmer suffered a concussion in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. With both wideouts banged up, veteran receiver Sterling Shepard caught three passes for 51 yards. He has since been signed to the active roster following last week's practice-squad elevation, so he should occupy the WR3 role behind Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in Thursday's NFC South clash. Shepard is not a great option for traditional leagues, but he can be utilized as a desperation flex play in deeper setups.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) did not practice on Tuesday. Both players are significant depth pieces for the Buccaneers at wide receiver. Their lack of participation Tuesday does not bode well for their ability to play on Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons. McMillan already missed Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. His absence forced Palmer to step up. Palmer recorded three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown while filling in for McMillan. If neither player can go on Thursday, the Buccaneers will likely turn to Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson (ankle) for depth at wide receiver. What this news most likely means is that Mike Evans (knee/calf) and Chris Godwin should see the lion's share of targets in Week 5.