Tampa Bay Buccaneers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

According to Scott Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tight end Cade Otton (knee) logged a full practice on Thursday. This is an excellent sign for Otton, as he has been unable to fully participate since sustaining the knee injury during Week 15. Otton has missed the previous three games. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status on Friday's injury report, as he may be able to avoid an injury designation if he can log another full session. While sidelined, Payne Durham has taken over No.1 tight end duties and is currently riding a two-game touchdown streak. Over his previous eight contests, Otton saw seven targets per game and averaged 54.6 yards per game. If he is cleared to return on Sunday evening, he should be viewed as a low-end TE1 in DFS formats facing the Washington Commanders, who have allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points to the position.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan (finger) is listed on this week's injury report with a finger injury but was able to give it a full-go in practice on Wednesday. It's something to keep an eye on the rest of the week, but barring a setback, McMillan should be good to go for Sunday night's wild-card playoff battle against the visiting Washington Commanders. The 23-year-old third-round selection out of Washington came on like gangbusters to close out his rookie campaign in the regular season, catching 24 of 31 targets for 316 yards and seven touchdowns in the last five contests. McMillan is the No. 2 behind future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, but there are enough looks to go around in Tampa's pass-happy offense for the rookie to be considered on the WR1/2 borderline for DFS playoff lineups this weekend.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (foot/knee) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Shepard was listed on the practice report for a hamstring injury last week so his presence with a new injury this week is slightly worrisome for Bucs fans. Shepard has had a nice season for the Bucs. He has operated primarily as the No. 3 wide receiver due to injuries to both Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (finger) for much of the season. McMillan and Mike Evans (rest) are currently the top two options in this passing offense. However, Shepard plays an important role as a chain mover when called upon. He recorded 32 receptions for 334 yards and a touchdown in 2024. He has been solid all around for a Buccaneers team with a legitimate shot at making a playoff run this season. His status will need to be monitored heading into the weekend. The Bucs will need all the help they can get against a young and hungry Washington Commanders team on Sunday night.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday and was listed as a limited participant. It's good news for Otton after he missed the final three games of the regular season due to his knee injury, although he might need to upgrade to a full practice in the next two days to avoid taking a questionable designation into Sunday night's wild-card playoff game against the visiting Washington Commanders. Head coach Todd Bowles said that Otton is "trending in the right direction" to return this weekend, for what it's worth. The 25-year-old has been a low-end, touchdown-dependent TE1 for fantasy managers when healthy, but if he is a game-time decision on Sunday night, it would be wise to go in another direction at the position for starting lineups during wild-card weekend. Payne Durham and rookie Devin Culp saw more snaps with Otton sidelined to close out the regular season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White did not receive a touch in Sunday's 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints. Woof. Despite playing 18 snaps (27%), the Arizona State product was not utilized. It's the second time in his career -- and first since Week 3 of his rookie season -- that he was active and did not get any work. Backfield mate Bucky Irving dominated touches, and even rookie back Sean Tucker garnered two carries over the third-year pro. It's a poor ending to the year for White, who now enters 2025, bolstering little more than handcuff appeal after finishing 2023 as the PPR RB4. He'll get a slightly tougher test in next weekend's Wild Card round against the visiting Washington Commanders. Still, he'll be tough to trust as a DFS option after goose-egging fantasy managers in the season finale.