TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS NEWS

Zyon McCollum - Six tackles, INT in Week 2 win McCollum recorded six tackles (all solo) and four defensed passes, including an interception, in the Buccaneers' 20-16 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Impact McCollum had played just 11 snaps in Week 1 before suffering a concussion, but he'd been able to get back to full practices Thursday and Friday and clear protocol. That thrust the third-year pro back into his starting right cornerback role, and he played on all 85 snaps while tying for the fifth-highest tackle total on the Bucs and consistently getting his hands on Jared Goff's passes. McCollum will look to snag his second pick of the season against the erratic Bo Nix when the Broncos come calling in Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Tykee Smith - Standout tackle effort in win Smith recorded eight tackles (six solo), including one for loss, in the Buccaneers' 20-16 win over the Lions in Week 2.

Impact The rookie came into the contest nursing an illness, but Smith did a fine job out of his slot cornerback role. The 2024 third-round pick has allowed a stingy 55.6 percent completion rate and modest 6.6 yards per attempt on the nine attempts he's faced as a primary defender thus far in his nascent NFL career.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

NFL MVP Watch: Is Saints QB Derek Carr’s early production sustainable?

In his second year with the Saints, Derek Carr is experiencing a career rebirth and playing at an MVP level. Can he stick with the top dogs?

SEPTEMBER 18

Herd Hierarchy: Texans, Bills, Saints move up after 2-0 starts

A group of surprising 2-0 NFL teams created a major shakeup in Colin Cowherd's latest Herd Hierarchy! Check out the full list here.

SEPTEMBER 18

NFL uniforms: Who has the best look in each division?

We're going division-by-division to pick the best NFL uniforms, and we need your help. Vote for the best here, then we'll pit the eight divi...

SEPTEMBER 17

QB Stock Market Week 3: Kyler Murray is back. Has Sam Darnold arrived?

A handful of veterans are making the most of second chances, while more than a few recent top picks are struggling. Here are Henry McKenna's...

SEPTEMBER 17

Chase McLaughlin - Another long make Sunday McLaughlin converted field-goal attempts of 30 and 55 yards and drilled both his extra-point tries in the Buccaneers' 20-16 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Impact McLaughlin's capable long-range leg was on full display during his 55-yarder early in the first quarter, pushing his accuracy from 50+ to 90.0 percent over his first season plus with the Buccaneers. After an inconsistent preseason, McLaughlin has flipped the switch, going 5-for-5 on field goals and 6-for-6 on PATs over the first two regular-season contests. The veteran should have his fair share of opportunities again in a Week 3 home matchup against the Broncos.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Izien - Snatches interception in start Izien recorded nine total tackles (five solo), an interception and two passes defensed in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions.

Impact Izien was thrust into a starting role at free safety with Antoine Winfield (foot) unavailable versus Detroit. Izien made the most of his opportunity, picking off Jared Goff in the fourth quarter. The 24-year-old will likely draw another start in Week 3 against the Broncos.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

SirVocea Dennis - Double-digit stops in win Dennis recorded 10 total tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions.

Impact Dennis was a busy man once again in Week 2, securing double-digit stops for the first time in his career. The linebacker played 44 of the team's 85 total defensive snaps in the contest. Dennis has now compiled 17 total tackles (11 solo) through two games in 2024, already surpassing the 13 tackles he produced over 13 contests in his rookie campaign in 2023.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Cade Otton - Empty line on two targets Otton failed to bring in either of his two targets in the Buccaneers' 20-16 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Impact The third-year tight end had also seen two targets in Week 1 and had recorded one catch for five yards, but he had an even quieter day Sunday. Otton played on all 47 snaps from scrimmage as well, so there wasn't any drop in playing time to help explain the lack of involvement. However, it's worth noting Baker Mayfield put up just 19 attempts Sunday, so perhaps Otton will see an uptick in opportunity during a Week 3 home matchup against the Broncos.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Trey Palmer - No targets in Week 2 win Palmer wasn't targeted in the Buccaneers' 20-16 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Impact Palmer was in on just nine snaps from scrimmage in the narrow victory after having logged 20 plays on offense in Week 1. Rookie Jalen McMillan seems to have clearly surpassed Palmer for the No. 3 receiver role for the time being, essentially nullifying the latter's fantasy value.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Defensive lapses and poor play by Jared Goff are hurting the Lions early in the season

The Detroit Lions were lucky to come away with a split of two home games against teams they beat in the playoffs last season

SEPTEMBER 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sean Payton realizes he has to be the one to jump-start the Broncos' clunker of an offense

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton says the sputtering offense has a lot to clean up and he's pointing the finger at himself when talking about who needs to kick-start the unit

SEPTEMBER 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

It's early, but 3-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers are off to another strong start

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to another strong start, though coach Todd Bowles understandably is playing down the significance of being 2-0 for a fourth straight season

SEPTEMBER 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jalen McMillan - Solid gain on one catch McMillan brought in one of two targets for 21 yards in the Buccaneers' 20-16 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Impact The rookie once again managed a 20+ yard gain on his one reception after recording a 32-yard touchdown grab in Week 1. McMillan logged 37 snaps from scrimmage overall, significantly outpacing Trey Palmer, who was in on just nine plays on offense. McMillan still has plenty of chemistry to develop with Baker Mayfield, but he already seems to have a firm grasp on the No. 3 receiver role and has no shortage of field-stretching ability.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Bucky Irving - Contained in Week 2 win Irving rushed seven times for 22 yards and wasn't targeted during the Buccaneers' 20-16 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Impact Irving saw just over half (17) of backfield mate Rachaad White's (groin) 33 snaps from scrimmage, but the latter missed a handful of plays in the first half due to his injury. Irving already seems to be locked into a reliable complementary role at minimum, and there's certainly a possibility his participation expands during a Week 3 home matchup against the Broncos if White is limited in any way.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Week 2: Chiefs comfortable winning ugly; what we learned from every Sunday game

FOX Sports' NFL experts break down what we learned from Sunday's NFL action and provide analysis on what it means for every team.

SEPTEMBER 16

Vita Vea - Considered day-to-day Vea is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and will have a chance to play in Week 3, after suffering the injury in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' o...

Impact Vea was expected to undergo an MRI on Monday, which likely led to this diagnosis. The potentially quick return for the Washington product would be great news for the Buccaneers' defensive front, with Vea being one of the premier run-stoppers in the game. A final verdict on his ability to play in Week 3 against the Broncos probably won't be available until closer to kickoff Sunday though.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Vita Vea - Considered day-to-day Vea is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and will have a chance to play in Week 3, after suffering the injury in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' o...

Impact Vea was expected to undergo an MRI on Monday, which likely led to this diagnosis. The potentially quick return for the Washington product would be great news for the Buccaneers' defensive front, with Vea being one of the premier run-stoppers in the game. A final verdict on his ability to play in Week 3 against the Broncos probably won't be available until closer to kickoff Sunday though.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Rachaad White - Has minor groin injury White sustained a groin injury during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions but the issue is not considered major, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact White was effectively contained by Detroit on Sunday, rushing just 10 times for 18 yards while securing his only target for five yards. He picked up the groin issue in the first half and was briefly forced off the field, but the starting running back managed to return without missing much time. White's injury doesn't currently seem likely to impact his availability versus the Broncos in Week 3, but he's averaging a paltry 2.0 YPC through two games to begin the 2024 season. If White's groin issue seems to hamper him as a runner in practice this week, Tampa Bay could elect to give Bucky Irving more opportunities on the ground versus Denver.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Rachaad White - Has minor groin injury White sustained a groin injury during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions but the issue is not considered major, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact White was effectively contained by Detroit on Sunday, rushing just 10 times for 18 yards while securing his only target for five yards. He picked up the groin issue in the first half and was briefly forced off the field, but the starting running back managed to return without missing much time. White's injury doesn't currently seem likely to impact his availability versus the Broncos in Week 3, but he's averaging a paltry 2.0 YPC through two games to begin the 2024 season. If White's groin issue seems to hamper him as a runner in practice this week, Tampa Bay could elect to give Bucky Irving more opportunities on the ground versus Denver.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

2024 NFL Week 2 betting recap: 'We couldn't have written a better script'

The favorites fell flat in the early window of Week 2, equaling a 'monumental result' for sportsbooks. Patrick Everson talked to oddsmakers...

SEPTEMBER 16