Tampa Bay Buccaneers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. The Buccaneers did not actually practice on Wednesday after losing to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, so Irving's status was an estimation. We should have a better idea of whether the 22-year-old will be able to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in the next two days. In Rachaad White's return on Monday, Irving played 36% of the offensive snaps to White's 47% and had 12 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. White had four more touches and scored twice through the air. Irving should remain involved in Tampa's backfield moving forward, giving him RB3/flex appeal on a weekly basis, but Sean Tucker could see more run this Sunday if Irving is limited or out.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) is officially out for Week 8 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons and will undergo an MRI exam on Wednesday after aggravating his hamstring injury in Monday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Buccaneers aren't going to put Evans on Injured Reserve, but they don't expect him back until around their Week 11 bye. Chris Godwin is also out for the rest of the season after dislocating his ankle on Monday, so Tampa's receiving corps is going to be very thin for at least the next several weeks. Both rookie Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard were popular waiver-wire pickups in fantasy leagues on Wednesday, and Trey Palmer should also enter the starting mix in three-receiver sets moving forward. Quarterback Baker Mayfield's fantasy stock takes a big hit.

The NFL's Ian Rapoport reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair his dislocated ankle. Rapoport noted that tests done leading up to surgery were "as good as they could've been," according to sources. Additionally, there is an outside shot Godwin could return in 2024, depending on how late in the winter the Bucs play. However, the likelihood of such an outcome is not very good. With fellow wideout Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to miss time through Week 11, Tampa Bay is suddenly reeling on offense. It'd not be surprising to see the team seek veteran help, but in the meantime, wide receivers Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, and Sterling Shepherd will attempt to fill the void. Running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton should also continue to see an uptick in usage.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday to fix his dislocated left ankle and will likely be out for the rest of the season. However, there's a small chance that Godwin could make it back early in 2025 if the Buccaneers make a deep playoff run. The 28-year-old suffered a gruesome ankle injury late in the fourth quarter in Monday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can send Godwin to the waiver wire now for a healthy body. It's devastating news for Tampa and Godwin, as he was excelling in his return to the slot in 2024 with a league-high 50 catches, 576 yards and five TDs in seven games. With Mike Evans (hamstring) to miss at least three games, the Bucs will be forced to use rookie Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard and Trey Palmer in three-wide sets moving forward.

The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) is expected to miss at least the team's next three games against the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The Bucs aren't planning to put Evans on Injured Reserve, though, if there's a chance he can return after the bye to face the New York Giants in Week 12. Going on IR would require Evans to miss at least four contests. The 31-year-old future Hall of Fame aggravated his right-hamstring injury in Monday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but he at least managed to find the end zone for his fantasy managers before limping to the locker room. With Chris Godwin (ankle) likely out for the rest of the year, Tampa is going to roll into their Week 8 game against the division-rival Falcons with rookie Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard and Trey Palmer in three-wide sets.