NFL Player News

The Buccaneers are hoping Evans (hamstring) can return to practice this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) expected to miss some time and Chris Godwin (fibula) already essentially ruled out for Week 7 by coach Todd Bowles on Monday, Tampa Bay could really use Evans back in the lineup. Evans was injured Week 3 and has missed the Bucs' last three contests. At the time of his injury, he was initially given a return timeline of 3-to-4 weeks, so the veteran wide receiver should be inching closer to a return to the field. Fantasy players will have a better idea of Evans' upcoming availability later this week, as the Bucs travel to Detroit to face the Lions next Monday night.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Irving (shoulder) is "not in play" to retake the field versus Detroit in Week 7 during Monday Night Football on Oct. 20, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bowles said both Irving and Chris Godwin (fibula) are near guarantees to miss another week, per Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay Sports, while rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on Tuesday and looks uncertain for Week 7. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Mike Evans (hamstring) could return to practice this week, but in any case the Buccaneers offense will be down a number of key playmakers next Monday. Until Irving is able to retake the field, Rachaad White will continue to operate as Tampa Bay's top backfield option while Sean Tucker handles No. 2 duties.

Robinson did not record a carry and caught all three of his targets for eight yards in Sunday's 30-19 loss to the Buccaneers.

It was an odd usage game for Robinson after he did not receive a carry for the first time in six appearances this year. Equally abnormal, the veteran backup's three targets Sunday matched the combined total from his previous five contests. The end result was still unsavory from a fantasy perspective, as Robinson was unable to do much with just five snaps played on offense (seven percent). Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much from Robinson in games that starter Christian McCaffrey is healthy for. The same can be said for next Sunday's tilt against the Falcons.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Godwin (fibula) is "not in play" to return to the field versus the Lions in Week 7 on Monday, Oct. 20, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Godwin didn't practice at all en route to being ruled out for Sunday's win over the 49ers, and he now is slated to miss a second consecutive game. Bowles also said running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) won't be a candidate to return for Monday Night Football versus Detroit. Tampa Bay could get Mike Evans (hamstring) back at practice, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, but with rookie phenom Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) looking uncertain for Week 7, Godwin's absence will be a notable blow for the Buccaneers' passing game.

Bates made his lone field-goal attempt and both of his point-after tries in Sunday night's 30-17 loss to the Chiefs.

The 26-year-old from Arkansas hasn't missed a kick since the Lions' Week 3 win over the Ravens, converting on seven of nine field-goal tries and all 24 of his extra-point attempts through the team's first six games. Bates lines up for a potentially busy night in a Week 7 home matchup against the high-powered Buccaneers next Monday night.

Thornton was not targeted during Sunday night's 30-17 win over Detroit.

Thornton fell back to earth Week 6, playing just 27 percent of offensive snaps and finishing without a target for the first time this season. His decline in usage and involvement bodes especially poorly with Rashee Rice (suspension) eligible for reinstatement Week 7 versus the Raiders. As such, Thornton looks positioned to work behind all of Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster this Sunday. Such a role could relegate Thornton to little more than scripted downfield plays.

Butker made his lone field-goal try and three of four point-after attempts in Sunday night's 30-17 win over the Lions.

The veteran kicker from Georgia Tech has now missed three extra-point attempts through six games this year, after missing just two during the 2024 regular season. Butker has also converted on 11 of his 14 field-goal tries, with all misses coming from 40-plus yards. His next opportunity to kick will come in Kansas City's Week 7 matchup against the Raiders.

McPherson converted on one of three field-goal attempts while making his lone point-after try in Sunday's 27-18 loss to the Packers.

McPherson was unable to convert on field-goal tries of 56 and 67 yards during Sunday's loss, which were his first two misses of the season. The Florida product has now made six of eight field-goal attempts and all 11 of his extra-point tries through Cincinnati's first six games in 2025. His next opportunity to score will come in a Week 7 divisional matchup against the Steelers on Thursday night.

Loop made his lone field-goal attempt during Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Rams.

The rookie sixth-round pick from Arizona attempted just one kick in Week 6 due to Baltimore's offensive struggles, converting on a 37-yard try in the first quarter. Loop has impressed through his first six games in the NFL, making nine of 10 field-goal attempts and 15 of 16 point-after tries. With the Ravens having a Week 7 bye, Loop's next opportunity to kick will come in the Week 8 matchup against the Bears.

Fant caught all four of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 28-17 loss to the Packers.

Fant saw an uptick in target opportunities with Joe Flacco under center, though his increased workload can also be contextualized by the departure of Mike Gesicki (pectoral) in the second quarter. In the event that Gesicki is unable to suit up Thursday versus the Steelers on a short week of rest, Fant will get a chance to handle No. 1 tight end duties, making him a potential streaming option for fantasy purposes. Notably, reserve tight end Tanner Hudson drew five targets versus Green Bay, securing four of them for 10 yards and a touchdown.