Tampa Bay Buccaneers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's wild-card game against the Washington Commanders, but he is expected to play, according to sources. Otton missed the final three games of the regular season due to his knee injury, but he got in some limited practice sessions this week and should be active this weekend for the first playoff game. The 25-year-old had an impressive three-game stretch from Weeks 7-9 in which he caught 25 of 31 targets for 258 yards and three touchdowns. However, all that production came with top wideout Mike Evans missing time with a hamstring injury. In five games after that stretch, Otton had a combined 15 catches for 179 yards and no TDs after Evans returned. If Otton returns Sunday night, he'll merely be a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 against Washington.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (foot) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and was removed from the final injury report for wild-card weekend. Shepard was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but will be active on Sunday evening to face the visiting Washington Commanders. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher will be looking for a better performance after catching one of his two targets for 11 yards in the Week 18 win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Although the Bucs had one of the best passing offenses in the league in 2024, Shepard has struggled to maintain any kind of fantasy value with limited targets on a weekly basis. He'll continue to serve as the No. 3 behind Mike Evans and rookie Jalen McMillan, giving him minimal upside as a flex play in postseason leagues. Shepard's only touchdown of the year came back on Oct. 3.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday but is listed as questionable to play on wild-card weekend for Sunday night's matchup versus the visiting Washington Commanders. Rookie Devin Culp (ribs) was also on the injury report this week but he practiced in full all three days and has been cleared to play. Despite being questionable to play on Sunday and after missing the final three games of the regular season, the 25-year-old is trending in the right direction to suit up for the first round of the postseason. If Otton does return to the field on Sunday night, he should be considered a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 for fantasy lineups. Otton's best performances in 2024 all came with receiver Mike Evans sidelined due to injuries. The Commanders weren't the greatest matchup for TEs this year, but they did allow eight touchdowns to the position.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Payne Durham could once again see an increased role during Sunday's Wild-Card game against the Washington Commanders. Fellow tight end Cade Otton (knee) has been sidelined over the last three games. Otton was able to get in two full practice sessions this week, but is listed as questionable ahead of this game. If he sits, Durham and Devin Culp would once again see more involvement. Durham has hauled in a touchdown in two straight games coming into this one. However, Durham hasn't brought much value to the table outside of that with two receptions or less in both of those games. Durham has also only surpassed 30 receiving yards in one game this season. That being said, Durham will be a touchdown-dependent option, assuming Otton is unable to play. Otherwise, Durham won't be worth a look if Otton is active.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (finger) remained on the injury report this week, but is ready to play after getting in three straight full practice sessions. The rookie wideout will look to keep his touchdown-streak alive during Sunday's Wild-Card game against the Washington Commanders. McMillan has caught a touchdown in five straight games coming into this game. He has become a favorite red-zone target for quarterback Baker Mayfield. It took some time for the two players to get on the same page, but McMillan has been heavily involved since Week 14. The Bucs lack many viable receiving options outside of Mike Evans and McMillan. That being said, McMillan should see plenty of work against a struggling Commanders defense this weekend. The 23-year-old is well worth a look for this weekend's games.