The Buccaneers’ backfield was already banged up before Rachaad White ($6,000; illness) was added as questionable on Saturday afternoon. Bucky Irving ($5,300) has looked very exciting at times this season, but he’s also questionable with a hamstring injury. Let’s dive into how to attack this situation from a fantasy football perspective.
White is still clearly the primary running back in Tampa Bay, playing over 70% of snaps each week this season and averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game with a total of only 66 rushing yards but 98 receiving yards on 12 catches. If he’s available in Week 4, he’s still almost a must-start in season-long fantasy formats as a bell cow back. I wouldn’t use him for DFS contests this week except as a leverage play due to his illness and a tough matchup against the Eagles, who have held opposing RBs to the ninth-fewest fantasy points in the NFL.
Where things get interesting, though, is if White is out. Irving has been electric in limited work and was earning more snaps with plays like this:
He started the year with 62 yards on nine carries in Week 1 and then posted 70 yards on nine carries in Week 3. He also caught three passes for 14 more yards and seemed ready to earn a more even timeshare with White.
RECORD SCRATCH… until he was limited in practice this week on Wednesday and Friday due to a hamstring issue and sat out entirely on Thursday.
If you could be sure that Irving was getting all the work, he’d be a must-start this week at this salary even against the Eagles. As it is, he’s still a great option to consider for DFS if White is ruled out since he brings such a high ceiling.
If Irving is available in your season-long leagues, he’s a great stash as well since he could eventually pass White on the depth chart. If that happens this week, he’ll be a solid flex option or even a desperation RB2.
If both White and Irving are out, Sean Tucker ($4,000) would be the next man up with D.J. Williams ($4,000) possibly mixing in from the practice squad.
Despite all their injury issues, the Bucs are just one-point underdogs against the Eagles this week, who also have plenty of injuries of their own. White is currently +135 to score a touchdown while Irving brings better value at +165.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
