Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd Bowles says rookie RB Bucky Irving’s back has tightened up. His availability against the Chargers will depend on if they can get the back to loosen up.

Related players: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker

Irving got four carries and a catch, but then gave way to White, who went on to catch and rush for a TD, as well as gain 90 yards on the ground with Irving on the sideline. It was frustrating for Irving owners who may have played Irving last week and took advantage of his success. The Bucs play at the Chargers in a game in the later window Sunday of Week 15. Irving will be a risky play even if he seems good to go unless we get some really positive news about his back leading up to Week 15. We'll continue to monitor his practice status this week.

Today’s Bucs-Raiders injury report…Mike Evans and Bucky Irving still not practicing. Talked to Evans today though and he said, “I’m feeling good. Played close to 70 plays the last game. Felt…really good shape. I’m getting very close.”

Related Players: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Rakim Jarrett

We don't need to panic quite yet, but we're coming up against it if Evans and Irving don't practice on Friday. While the WR2s aren't particularly interesting, Rachaad White would be an easy click in Week 14 if Irving misses the game.

Bucky Irving ran 25 times for 152 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 33 yards to continue a strong stretch.

The 25 carries were the most for a Bucs back this season and it’s a sign of changing balance with Rachaad White, who also had a 38-yard run to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime. Head coach Todd Bowles said Irving’s increased comfort level in the offense is the reason for the shift.

Related players: Sean Tucker

“He’s getting more comfortable with the offense,"Bowles said, via the team’s website. “The more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, the more he can do. Both are running well — we’re happy with both of them. Bucky has a skill you can’t teach — he can make people miss in the hole. He’s tough on the inside. Rachaad had a big run at the end of the game, as well. Using them both together seems to be working out for us.”

The story pointed out Irving’s rate of missed tackles ranks first in the league, so that skill Bowles identified is one that the rookie is putting to good use. The story also pointed out Irving has now scored in three straight games while rushing for 313 yards and catching 12 passes for 111 yards in those contests. White is still a factor, but Irving looks like he's taken over as the top back. Tucker, meanwhile, has had five touches since Week 10, a span of three games, and they all came in Week 12. Tucker had zero touches in Week 10 and Week 13.

Bucky Irving said he’s feeling much better today than he did leaving the field last night. He also said he needs to get his offensive linemen something really nice for Christmas because of their blocking efforts.

Related players: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker

Irving was listed as questionable to return at one point, but was able to come back and play through the injury. He was injured in a kick return. There was also a concerning video of him limping to the locker room after the game. This will be worth watching this week. The Bucs have a home game against the Raiders during the early Sunday window of Week 14, so owners should have plenty of time to make adjustments depending on his status. Hopefully we'll know more as the week goes on, too.

Baker Mayfield got stepped on in the third quarter and initially worried that he might have suffered a season-ending injury.

Related players: Kyle Trask

Trask replaced him, but it turned out to be a one-play absence for the quarterback. Mayfield said, "I’ve seen some people pop their Achilles before and they say it feels like you got cleated. Obviously, not knowing what exactly happened that’s what I thought I did. It was a little painful, but I got taped again and went back out there.” Mayfield should be good to go despite not having his best game in Week 13. The Bucs host the Raiders in Week 14 in the early Sunday window.

While Mike Evans’ return was the headline, rookie receiver Jalen McMillan also came back for the first time in a couple games. McMillan ended up leading all Bucs receivers in playing at 41 snaps and 63%. It’s evident they want to get him going and he’ll be important for the offense.

Related players: Sterling Shepard

The report went on to say the Bucs seem like they have selected McMillan over Rakim Jarrett and Trey Palmer, with Shepard rounding out the trio of starting receivers in 11 personnel. McMillan didn't have much to show in his return despite the snaps, as he caught just one ball for 11 yards and was only targeted twice. Evans led the way for the WRs with a 5-68-0 line. The Bucs were in control most of the game and their RBs carried 28 times in total. RB Bucky Irving also broke out with a 6-64-0 receiving line on top of 87 yards rushing and a TD. All of the Tampa running backs scored rushing touchdowns and Baker Mayfield ran for one as well. It at least sounds like McMillan may get more chances in a different game situation.

"He's good," Bowles said about Baker Mayfield's stinger/neck injury from late in Sunday's game and whether it could impact him moving forward.

Mayfield was able to play through the injury and it seems like he'll be good to go for Week 13, which is later Sunday game at the Panthers.

Cooler weather for Bucs practice today -- Wirfs and Evans practicing again. Still no Zyon McCollum, but Troy Hill and Greg Gaines were practicing today.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Mike Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

Sources: Bucs WR Mike Evans, who has been out since Week 7 with a hamstring injury, is back at practice and is planning to play on Sunday vs the Giants.

A huge boost for Baker Mayfield.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans takes the field this morning for a bonus practice.

Related players: Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard, Trey Palmer

Laine reported Evans said he could have pushed to try and play in Week 10 against the 49ers but opted to take the extra time. The Bucs had a bye in Week 11 and Evans said that Week 12 after the bye has always been his target for a return. Evans will be a welcomed addition to the offense as the team sits at 4-6, trailing the first place Falcons who are 6-5. The return of Evans will push the rest of the WRs down the depth chart, likely leaving McMillan and Shepard as the rest of the top three.