The Buccaneers will be without Baker Mayfield for this Sunday’s matchup vs. the Packers, and there is a chance Irving ($6,000) is out as well. The back missed the final two possessions of last week’s loss to the Vikings and while HC Todd Bowles told the media Monday that Irving was not on the injury report, the back was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice with a glute injury.
Irving has been the clear, top back for Tampa Bay this season. If he is inactive Sunday, who will be the better fantasy option between Gainwell ($4,700) and Tucker ($4,000)?
Gainwell vs. Tucker
After inking a two-year, $14 million deal to join the Buccaneers this offseason, Gainwell has played a smaller role than most expected, but he still has been Irving’s main backup. Irving has seen 80% of the running back carries while logging 63.9% of the snaps, whereas Gainwell has handled 20% of the carries on a 42.4% snap rate. In fact, no other back for Tampa Bay has seen a carry this season.
Tucker sits third on the depth chart and he has played just one offensive snap this season, but when Irving was out for a seven-game stretch last season, Tucker did go from essentially not playing to being a factor in this backfield, including a 106-yard and two-touchdown performance vs. the Bills. The veteran also had two other games during this span in which he found the endzone.
That being said, it took a few games for the Buccaneers’ coaching staff to give Tucker a real chance, as they opted to feature Rachaad White at first and then after a few games of him being ineffective, they turned to Tucker. In those seven games Irving missed last season, Tucker saw three, six, one, 12, nine, 19 and 12 carries, in that order.
Sure, Tucker had some strong games during this stretch and Bowles knows what he is capable of, but Tucker has been clearly behind Gainwell this season, so if Irving is out this Sunday, it’s difficult to imagine Gainwell not leading the way for this backfield.
Tucker should see some carries behind him, but a 70/30 split in favor of Gainwell is a realistic expectation if Irving ends up sidelined. Gainwell has struggled this season, averaging a career-worst 2.1 YPC, but he has only rushed the ball 10 times and he was excellent last season with the Steelers, averaging a career-best 4.7 YPC and producing 0.43 FPTS per snap, which ranked 12th among all skill players.
Gainwell’s effectiveness as both a rusher and pass catcher last season earned him the notable payday from Tampa Bay this offseason and if Irving sits this weekend, Gainwell definitely could produce a solid fantasy score and he will be the back to target from this offense.
