Kenneth Gainwell

Bucky Irving returned to limited action at the Buccaneers’ final OTA session, participating in both rushing and receiving drills. After averaging 13.9 fantasy points per game last season, fantasy managers are breathing a sigh of relief after HC Todd Bowles created a minor panic in the fantasy football community a few weeks ago when he remarked that Irving was “expected back sometime in summer or fall.” Thankfully, Irving is returning to the practice field in June, not October.

While Irving leads the Bucs backfield, Tampa Bay paid Kenneth Gainwell $14 million over two years and will continue featuring Sean Tucker in short-yardage situations. These three quality, competing skill sets point to an impending touch squeeze, though Irving will be integral member of the Bucs RB committee. Irving is worth a gamble in best ball and seasonal leagues but is risky long-term asset in dynasty league formats.

Blood is officially in the streets. Todd Bowles’ noncommittal coachspeak confirms this shoulder injury is a problem. Bucky Irving stumbled to a abysmal 3.3 True Yards Per Carry (No. 67 among qualified running backs) in 2026, and Tampa Bay went out and paid real money to secure Kenneth Gainwell, an elite pass-blocking specialist who is primed to completely cannibalize the high-value receiving work.

Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud also insists RB coach Skip Peete “has always done a good job of balancing the workload between his backs, and 2026 should be no different” and believes Sean Tucker will be leaned on in short-yardage situations. This backfield is devolving into a “hot hand” nightmare that is sure to lower Irving’s early-season fantasy ceiling.

Still just 23.8 years old, Irving continues to trend down in all fantasy formats. Monitor his recovery throughout the summer and watch for panic selling in dynasty leagues.

Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud describes Bucky Irving as “the chair” of what looks to be a running back by committee with Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker. We’ll see what the price range settles in as for Irving, but it’s hard to imagine him as a top-40 pick based on the past week of updates.

Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson went further saying “Shoot, one guy might get this amount the next week. They might end up balanced, feeling the hot hand, and we’ll see where it goes.” Gainwell’s hyper-efficiency in 2025 netted him a $7 million per year contract with Tampa Bay, combined with Irving’s elongated recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, prepares the ground for a rotational backfield this season. Gainwell and Tucker both have attractive ADPs in dynasty and best ball fantasy drafts.

Running back Kenneth Gainwell led the Pittsburgh Steelers in rushing with 13 carries for 80 yards in their victory over the Miami Dolphins. Gainwell also added seven receptions for 46 yards in the passing game.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. D.K. Metcalf led the team in receiving with 55 yards and one touchdown while Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught Rodgers other touchdown pass but that was his only catch.

Gainwell seems to be making this backfield a 50/50 split with Jaylen Warren and remains a solid flex option for fantasy managers. Metcalf is a decent flex option too but does have a higher ceiling when Rodgers is this efficient.

Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)

Coming off one of his best games in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers relied heavily on Kenneth Gainwell in Week 12, where he recorded six catches and 122 all-purpose yards. Gainwell has seized the opportunity given by a Jaylen Warren injury and should have fantasy value moving forward.

This is now the fourth game this season in which Gainwell has recorded six or more catches. Does this mean he will have a heavier workload in the future? Arthur Smith sang his praises earlier in the week, and, notably, he retained the pass-catching role even with Jaylen Warren in the game.

Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)