Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ted Hurst III

WR

For a third consecutive game, the rookie third-rounder didn't record a catch while seeing only one target. Of more concern was the fact that Hurst was on the field for only one offensive snap in Week 9 after logging at least 25 offensive snaps in each of the first eight games of the regular season. That lack of offensive playing time coincided with the return of Emeka Egbuka, although Hurst also saw less snaps than Chris Godwin (62), Tez Johnson (52) and even David Sills (six), although Sills was cut by the Buccaneers on Tuesday. With the Buccaneers on a bye for Week 10, Hurst will look for better results in Week 11 against the Lions on Sunday, Nov. 22.

Tez Johnson

WR

Johnson accounted for the Bucs' longest play of the game, producing a 58-yard catch-and-run to lead the team in receiving yards. Johnson has been working as the Bucs' WR3 behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, with rookie Ted Hurst mixing in for sub-package snaps. Johnson isn't a particularly exciting fantasy bet.

Sean Tucker

RB

It was the second straight week in which Tucker went without an offensive snap. That's happened despite Tampa Bay going to the ground plenty during that span. Perhaps not coincidentally, Tucker has begun working as a kick returner during the two-game stretch. It appears he's not going to get many opportunities on offense as long as Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell are healthy.

Chase McLaughlin

PK

McLaughlin had a solid outing despite the loss, although all three of his field goals came from within 35 yards. Across his first nine outings of the season, the 30-year-old has yet to miss a kick, converting on all 22 field-goal attempts and all 18 extra-point tries.

Cade Otton

TE

The tight end saw a team-high eight targets, drawing a 26.7 percent target share from Baker Mayfield. It still didn't translate into much in the box score, as Otton remains without a touchdown through nine games. He's turned 38 targets into 23 catches for 211 yards this season and is a low-floor fantasy option most weeks.

Yaya Diaby

LB

out

Ayden Garnes

CB

Trevor Keegan

G

Billy Schrauth

G

DeMonte Capehart

DT

Bucky Irving

RB

Though he hasn't shown any signs of wearing down while he's averaged a healthy 4.9 yards per tote through the Buccaneers' first nine games, Irving has already amassed 167 carries -- fourth-most in the NFL -- and would be on pace for a career-high 315 over the course of a 17-game schedule. Given the success they've found on the ground in recent weeks, the Buccaneers could continue to embrace a run-first attack, but expect Irving to cede a bit more work to backups Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker as Tampa Bay aims to keep their top back healthy for the long haul.

Jalen McMillan

WR

While Bowles indicated that linebacker Yaya Diaby (knee) has decent odds of playing in the Buccaneers' next game Nov. 22 versus the Lions, the coach was less optimistic about McMillan's chances of being ready to play in Week 11. The Buccaneers have yet to open McMillan's 21-day practice window, after he was placed on injured reserve Sept. 30 due to a PCL sprain in his left knee, which was an aggravation of a previous injury. Bowles noted that McMillan underwent a medical procedure on the knee shortly after landing on IR and is still dealing with some discomfort.

Chris Godwin Jr.

WR

Godwin has now gone back-to-back weeks without reeling in at least three passes after having done so in each of Tampa Bay's first seven contests this year. The wide receiver has yet to exceed 50 receiving yards or reach the end zone over nine games so far during the 2026 campaign, and he will remain an unappealing fantasy option when the Buccaneers return to action in Week 11 against the Lions.

Kenny Gainwell

RB

Most of Gainwell's 76 scrimmage yards came on a 44-yard catch. He has 304 scrimmage yards over the past three games after recording just 122 scrimmage yards across his first six outings for the Buccaneers. Bucky Irving rushed for two touchdowns Sunday and remains the top option in Tampa Bay's backfield, but Gainwell has started to make the most of his change-of-pace role in the Buccaneers' run-heavy offense. Gainwell will try to pick up where he left off in Week 11 against the Lions after a Week 10 bye.

Baker Mayfield

QB

Mayfield notched a season high in passing yards after finishing Tampa Bay's previous game without a completed pass, but he also threw multiple interceptions for the first time in six starts this season. He put forth a gutsy performance, getting back up from several big hits and scoring the game-tying two-point conversion with his legs to cap Tampa Bay's final drive, only for Chicago to kick a game-winning field goal on the ensuing possession. The struggling QB has taken a back seat to the Buccaneers' Bucky Irving-led running game in recent weeks, and Mayfield has an ugly 3:4 TD:INT heading into Tampa Bay's Week 10 bye. After the bye, Mayfield will have a chance to pick up the pace in Week 11 against Detroit's vulnerable secondary.

Emeka Egbuka

WR

Egbuka returned from a two-game absence during which he was in concussion protocol in addition to dealing with a foot injury. He tied for second on the team in targets behind Cade Otton's eight and finished third in receiving yards behind Tez Johnson (76) and Kenny Gainwell (60), as Baker Mayfield spread the ball around to complement Bucky Irving's two-touchdown effort on the ground. Egbuka hasn't exceeded 63 yards in seven appearances this season heading into Tampa Bay's Week 10 bye.

Antoine Winfield Jr.

S

Winfield sustained an ankle injury late in the first half, and his night has now officially come to a premature end. With Winfield unavailable, Ifeatu Melifonwu will continue to operate as one of Tampa Bay's primary safeties versus Chicago.

Tristan Wirfs

OT

Wirfs appeared on Thursday's injury report as a non-participant with a toe injury. The star left tackle managed to upgrade to limited for Friday's session. The upgrade to limited participation was enough to clear Wirfs of any injury designation, and the veteran protector is all set to suit up for Sunday's contest.

Tykee Smith

S

Smith was limited at practice by an ankle issue Wednesday and Thursday, but he managed to practice in full Friday and will avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend. He projects to start at safety next to Antoine Winfield in Week 9.

Josiah Trotter

LB

Trotter was limited by an illness at practice ahead of Week 8, and he ultimately secured a season-low six stops in the win. The rookie linebacker has put together quite the impressive start to his first NFL campaign, compiling 68 total tackles (32 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding a pick-six over seven contests so far.

Jacob Parrish

CB

Parrish was able to notch multiple passes defensed for the fifth straight game, and he was able to reel in his second interception of the year, jumping in front of a short pass from Falcons quarterback Michael Penix in the second quarter. The cornerback has now compiled 36 total tackles (30 solo) and 13 passes defensed, including two interceptions, over seven contests so far during the 2026 regular season.

Alex Anzalone

LB

Anzalone was able to secure exactly six takedowns for the second straight week, but his biggest impact came in the passing game. The linebacker intercepted Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix twice in the first quarter, jumping in front of short passes intended for Drake London and Jahan Dotson. Anzalone has now registered 42 total tackles (17 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also notching a career-high three interceptions over eight games so far during the 2026 regular season.

Bauer Sharp

TE

After logging single-digit snaps on offense in each of the first six games of the season, Sharp appears to have firmly supplanted Ko Kieft as the Buccaneers' No. 3 tight end behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham. Sharp played a quarter of the snaps in a Week 7 win over the Buccaneers before bumping up to a season-high 32 percent share during Sunday's victory. The rookie sixth-round pick out of LSU will likely continue to be utilized mainly as a blocker; he's drawn just one target (a 21-yard reception) while running only nine total routes so far this season.

Luke Haggard

G

Luke Goedeke

OT

Goedeke earned the questionable tag for Week 8 after logging a limited practice Friday, and he's been cleared by medical staff to return from a one-game absence due to a calf injury. He'll reclaim his starting spot at right tackle while Benjamin Chukwuma reverts to a depth role.