Tampa Bay Buccaneers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

According to head coach Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard will be counted on more in the offense in the absence of teammates Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle). Specifically, reporters asked Bowles about Shepard and his familiarity with quarterback Baker Mayfield. "He's been a heck of a receiver in this league when he's healthy," said the Bucs' head coach. "He can make plays all over the field; we've seen that briefly over the last couple of weeks." The chemistry referred to by reporters stems from the time he and Mayfield spent together in college at Oklahoma. Seeing how targets shake out over the coming weeks will be interesting. For what it's worth, the former Oklahoma Sooner played fewer snaps than fellow wideouts Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan in the team's Week 7 loss. Still, production in this offense will need to come from somewhere, with Godwin done for the year and Evans not projected back until after the team's Week 11 bye.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) underwent an MRI Wednesday that confirmed his "moderate" hamstring injury. According to the NFL's Ian Rapoport, Evans' diagnostic test affirmed the notion that he'd be sidelined until at least the team's Week 11 bye. It's a massive blow to Tampa Bay's offense, as they've also just lost fellow wideout Chris Godwin (ankle) for the remainder of the season after dislocating his ankle. With the Bucs down their top two pass-catchers, wide receivers Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepherd, and Trey Palmer project to line up in three wide receiver sets. Additionally, tight end Cade Otton and running back Rachaad White should continue to see an increased role in Tampa Bay's passing attack. The team will host the visiting Atlanta Falcons this coming Sunday.

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.