Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder, shin) is coming off another solid performance during last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. The rookie back is dealing with a pair of injuries, but that didn't impact his performance on the field. Irving rushed 20 times for 113 yards while hauling in all four of his targets for 77 additional yards during the blowout win. He was on the injury report to begin the week, but has been removed and is good to go this weekend. The rookie back has now rushed for over 100 yards in three of his last five games. Irving has literally run away with the lead back job in Tampa Bay and looks to finish his regular season on a high note. He'll get a solid matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18. Irving continues to impress and should remain on the RB1 radar for this weekend.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off a stellar performance against the Carolina Panthers last week. Mayfield threw for 359 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in the blowout win last weekend. The 29-year-old now looks to end his 2024-2025 regular season on a high note with a plus-matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The last meeting between these teams Mayfield threw for 325 yards with four touchdowns. The Saints are banged up on both sides of the ball and this is a must-win game for the Bucs. Fantasy managers who have championship games this weekend should consider Mayfield a QB1. Otherwise, Mayfield is probably an expensive, but reliable DFS option for this weekend.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable to play in a must-win game in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Shepard was inactive for the team's Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers but is hoping to return to help the Bucs secure a playoff berth and the NFC South title. If he does return, he'll return to his role as the WR3 behind Mike Evans and rookie Jalen McMillan, giving him little fantasy upside. Despite another phenomenal season from quarterback Baker Mayfield and the season-ending injury to Chris Godwin (ankle), Shepard has failed to produce consistently for fantasy managers, catching a total of 31 passes on 49 targets for 323 yards and only one score. If he's active, consider him a low-upside, touchdown-dependent WR4/5 against the Saints.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is now being considered doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints after it was reported earlier on Friday that he would be a game-time decision. Otton has already missed the last two games with a knee injury and is now likely to miss a third straight as the team looks to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Saints. Both Payne Durham (quadriceps) and rookie Devin Culp (ribs) were listed on the Week 18 injury report as well, but both have been cleared to play this weekend after practicing in full on Friday. With Otton unlikely to play, expect both Durham and Culp to share the tight end duties for the Bucs in a must-win game at home. For fantasy purposes, managers should be able to find better TE options.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) will be a game-time decision for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, according to head coach Todd Bowles. Otton has missed the last two games but returned to a limited practice on Thursday for the first time since Dec. 20, giving him a chance to suit up for a must-win game this weekend. Payne Durham (quadriceps) is also iffy for the regular-season finale for the Bucs, so in the event that both Otton and Durham are held out against the Saints, rookie Devin Culp would be in line for an elevated role for the second straight week after catching three of four targets for 52 yards in the Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Otton went off for several weeks when receiver Mike Evans was injured, but he's since fallen to a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 when healthy.