Impact Shepard left the contest in the second quarter due to the hamstring, but he was cleared for the second half after receiving treatment.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Checks back into Sunday's game Shepard (hamstring) returned to the field for the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Falcons, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Exits with hamstring injury Shepard is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons due to a hamstring injury.
Impact Shepard had been targeted three times and caught two passes for 13 yards before leaving the contest late in the second quarter to have his hamstring injury evaluated. The Buccaneers are likely to have an update on Shepard's condition coming out of halftime.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Making return Week 8 Durham (calf) is active Sunday for a matchup against the Falcons, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers official site reports.
Impact Durham missed Week 7 due to a calf issue, but he was able to log a full practice Friday after beginning the week with a DNP. The tight end entered the weekend deemed questionable for Sunday, but he'll be able to suit up against Atlanta. Durham has only one catch on one target for eight yards through six games in a backup role, but there's a chance he could be utilized more in the passing game with Tampa Bay's top wideouts -- Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) -- both out of action.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Returning to action Week 8 Jarrett (knee) is active for Sunday's matchup against Atlanta, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers official site reports.
Impact Jarrett began the season on injured reserve after undergoing offseason knee surgery. He's been working his way back into action and was able to log a trio of full practices this week, setting up his activation from IR on Saturday. Jarrett had just four catches on nine targets for 60 yards over 10 games as a rookie last year, but he has a chance to make an impression Sunday given the depleted state of Tampa Bay's receiver corps, as both Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) will not be suiting up.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Suiting up Sunday Irving (toe) is listed as active Sunday against the Falcons, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Impact The rookie fourth-round pick thus will be available as part of a three-pronged backfield along with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. Through seven contests this season, Irving is averaging 67.9 yards from scrimmage per game and has scored three rushing touchdowns.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Likely headed for target increase Otton should have a good chance for an increase in targets over the next several games thanks to the Buccaneers' short-handed receiver corps, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Impact The third-year tight end's experience and increasing comfort level in coordinator Liam Coen's offense should certainly be integral in helping the Buccaneers navigate what is expected to be a three-game absence for Mike Evans (hamstring) and the loss of Chris Godwin (ankle) for the remainder of the regular season. Otton had already been coming on in recent weeks following a very slow first two games, posting 26 receptions for 258 yards and a touchdown over his last five contests. Otton recorded a career-best 8-100 line on 10 targets during the Week 7 loss to the Ravens which Evans exited in the first half, and similarly busy days in the weeks ahead could be forthcoming when also factoring in the many short and intermediate targets that Godwin leaves behind.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Should see more opportunity Sunday Palmer is in line for an increased role in the Buccaneers' passing attack beginning with Sunday's divisional matchup against the Falcons due to the absences of Mike Evans (hamstrin...
Impact Evans is expected to be sidelined through Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye while Godwin has been placed on season-ending injured reserve, meaning Palmer should be in for a multi-week boost in snaps and targets. The second-year wideout does have a solid amount of experience despite his relatively brief NFL tenure, having played in all 17 regular-season games and two postseason games as a rookie in 2023 and also appearing in five games thus far this season. Palmer has a modest 5-61-1 receiving line on nine targets in 2024, but he'll be poised for an immediate increase in opportunity while working as the projected No. 2 receiver alongside Jalen McMillan during Evans' absence.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
In line for bigger role Shepard is expected to see an expanded role in the Buccaneers' passing attack beginning with Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Falcons due to the absences of Mike Evans (hamstrin...
Impact The veteran landed in Tampa Bay thanks in large part to his college playing experience with Baker Mayfield, and although Shepard opened the regular season on the practice squad, he's already been a steady complementary option over the last four games. Shepard has cobbled together an 8-93-1 line on 12 targets and rushed four times for 31 yards over that span, and the veteran will now help mentor young wideouts such as Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer as they're elevated into bigger roles in their own right beginning with Sunday's game against the Falcons.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Elevated role forthcoming McMillan is expected to see a significantly expanded role beginning with Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Falcons due to the absences of Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin...
Impact The rookie will be thrust into the No. 1 receiver role in what has been a potent Buccaneers passing attack to date, and even after Evans eventually returns from what is expected to be a multi-game absence, McMillan is likely to serve as no worse than the No. 2 receiver thanks to Godwin's season-ending ankle dislocation. McMillan has already dealt with a hamstring injury of his own that led to a two-game absence earlier in the season, but he should now have ample opportunity to build on the 6-74-1 line he's forged on 15 targets through his first five NFL games.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Expected to play Week 8 Irving (toe), who is questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta, is expected to suit up, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact Irving sat out practices Wednesday and Thursday before turning in a limited practice Friday, which appears to be enough for him to take the field against the Falcons. The rookie running back is officially questionable for the contest, though head coach Todd Bowles has expressed optimism this week that Irving will be able to suit up. If he does indeed play, Irving is expected to be part of a three-man committee in Tampa Bay's backfield along with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Expected to play Week 8 Irving (toe) is likely to suit up for Sunday's clash against Atlanta, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact Irving logged a DNP/DNP/LP progression during the practice week, which appears to be enough for him to take the field against the Falcons. The rookie running back is officially questionable for the contest, though coach Todd Bowles has expressed optimism this week that Irving will be able to suit up. If he does indeed play, Irving is expected to be part of a three-man committee in Tampa Bay's backfield along with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.
OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
How to Watch Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Time, TV Channel and Live Stream – 2024 Week 8
Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons game, Sunday, Oct. 27.OCTOBER 26 • DATA SKRIVE
Elevated from practice squad The Buccaneers elevated Pratt from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Pratt, a rookie seventh-round pick, was initially drafted by Green Bay but ended up on Tampa Bay's practice squad after late August roster cuts. It looks like he'll get a chance to work as an emergency No. 3 option behind Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask versus Atlanta on Sunday.
OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE
Brought off IR The Buccaneers announced Saturday that Jarrett (knee) has been activated from IR, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Impact Jarrett is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, but it's encouraging to see him activated from IR in advance of the divisional matchup. If he's able to suit up Sunday, Jarrett will have opportunities to contribute in a Tampa Bay wide receiver corps that's without Mike Evans (hamstring) for Week 8 and Chris Godwin (knee) for the remainder of the year.
OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE
2024 NFL odds Week 8: Lines, spreads for all 16 games
NFL Week 8 is on the horizon. Check out the odds for all 16 matchups!OCTOBER 26
Won't play vs. Falcons Gaines (calf) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Atlanta, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Gaines popped up on the Bucs' injury report Thursday with a calf injury, which forced him to sit out of Friday's practice. The injury is severe enough for the 2019 fourth-round pick to be ruled out for Sunday's contest, and he'll work on making himself available for Tampa Bay's Week 9 contest against Kansas City on Monday, Nov. 4. Gaines has served as Vita Vea's primary backup at nose tackle this season, but C.J. Brewer will step up into that role with Gaines sidelined.
OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE
2024 NFL Week 8 Best Bets: Take Packers, Dolphins to cover
J-Mac is backing the favored Dolphins at home in Tua's return. Check out that and his other best bets for NFL Week 8.OCTOBER 25
Questionable for Sunday Jarrett (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Impact Jarrett logged three consecutive practice sessions and was designated to return from injured reserve Oct. 17, so it appears he's nearing a return to the field. The Maryland product must still be activated to Tampa Bay's active roster in order to suit up in Week 8. If he isn't activated by Saturday, expect Ryan Miller to see increased work in the Buccaneers' wide receiver corps.
OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
Could play Sunday Durham (calf) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Impact Durham missed the Buccaneers' Week 7 loss to the Ravens due to a calf issue, but he was able to log a full practice session Friday, giving himself a chance to suit up Sunday. However, if Durham can't play through his calf issue in Week 8, expect Ko Kieft to serve as Tampa Bay's No. 2 tight end behind Cade Otton.
OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
NFL fines Ravens' Roquan Smith $16K for Chris Godwin hip-drop tackle
The NFL fined Ravens LB Roquan Smith over $16,000 for his hip-drop tackle on Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin in Week 7.OCTOBER 25
Falcons vs. Buccaneers 2024 Prediction, Odds, Picks - Oct 27
Preview the Week 8 matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines an...OCTOBER 25 • DATA SKRIVE
Won't play in Week 8 Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Friday that Smith (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Smith sustained a concussion in the Buccaneers' Week 7 loss to the Ravens and has yet to pass through the NFL's five-step protocol. The rookie safety has recorded 33 total tackles and four passes defended, including one interception, through his first seven games. With Smith sidelined in Week 8, expect Tavierre Thomas to serve as Tampa Bay's top slot corner.
OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable, but likely to play Irving (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, but Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that the running back is likely to play Week 8, Greg Auman...
Impact After he was listed as a non-participant on practice reports issued Wednesday and Thursday, Irving helped assuage some of the concern about his health by practicing Friday as a limited participant. Bowles also allayed some more fears about Irving's injury, noting that the rookie isn't dealing with turf toe and should be good to go for Sunday, "barring anything happening." Official word on his status should arrive when Tampa Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if Irving suits up, he'll likely find himself a part of a three-man committee out of the backfield with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. The arrangement could end up suppressing the fantasy value of all three backs.
OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
2024 NFL Week 8 expert picks, predictions, best bets by Chris 'The Bear' Fallica
Chris "The Bear" Fallica delivers his best bets for NFL Week 8. Check out his latest picks, including why he's backing the Bengals to win an...OCTOBER 25
