Will try to fend off competition for touches
Irving is set to lead a Buccaneers backfield that also includes Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
Irving figures to get most of the rushing opportunities in Tampa Bay's backfield, though Gainwell is likely to play in passing situations after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season and subsequently signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March. Tucker was used frequently in the red zone last season, leading the Buccaneers with seven rushing touchdowns. Irving saw his rushing touchdown total dip to one in 10 games during his injury-plagued 2025 campaign after scoring eight regular-season rushing touchdowns as a rookie. Despite the competition for touches, Irving maintains the highest ceiling in Tampa Bay's backfield given his success in 2024.
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Cade Otton
Remains No. 1 TE on depth chart
Otton is listed as the No. 1 TE on the Buccaneers' unofficial depth chart.
Baker Mayfield
One preseason appearance
Mayfield logged just one appearance during the Buccaneers' three-game preseason schedule.
Kenny Gainwell
Part of RB mix with Irving and Tucker
Gainwell is one of three running backs on Tampa Bay's 53-man roster, along with Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
Chris Godwin Jr.
Draws praise from GM Licht
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht praised Godwin on Monday for his consistency and veteran leadership, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Sean Tucker
Dealing with minor injury
Tucker (undisclosed) didn't practice Wednesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Works on side field Wednesday
Egbuka (toe) worked on a side field with trainers Wednesday and ran without any obvious issues from the injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Jalen McMillan
Remains sidelined at practice
McMillan (knee) remains sidelined at Tuesday's practice, PewterReport.com reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Stting out Tuesday's practice
Egbuka (toe) is not practicing Tuesday, per Pewter Report.
Sean Tucker
Agrees to new contract with Bucs
Tucker agreed to a one-year contract Sunday with $2.5 million guaranteed to remain with the Buccaneers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Jalon Daniels
Wins backup QB job
Daniels is moving forward as Tampa Bay's backup quarterback behind Baker Mayfield after impressing throughout training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.