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2026 NFL backfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Bucky Irving

Preferred handcuff

Kenny Gainwell

Gainwell is the listed No. 2 behind Irving.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Bucky Irving’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Tampa Bay’s official Sept. 9 Week 1 depth chart lists Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker in that order. Gainwell is the clearest lead replacement.

Tampa Bay’s official Sept. 9 Week 1 depth chart lists Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker in that order. Gainwell is the clearest lead replacement.

  • availability_unverified
  • stale_availability
  • committee risk

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Bucky IrvingPublished starter		Three-down back2024 · Round 4 · Pick 125active
RB2
Kenny GainwellPublished handcuff		Three-down back2021 · Round 5 · Pick 150active
RB3
Sean Tucker		Change-of-pace back2023 · Undraftedactive
Unlisted
Josh Williams		Role under review2025 · Undraftedpractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Bucky Irving

Age 24 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Elusive, efficient three-down back who was a breakout star as a rookie before a shoulder and foot wrecked his second season. Healthy and full-go now, but Tampa Bay has structured the backfield as a near 50-50 split with Gainwell.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 4 · Pick 125

Drafted by TB; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 10 recorded games include 173 carries and 30 receptions on 35 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Three-down back

Kenny Gainwell

Age 27 · 6 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Signed to be a genuine 1A/1B with Irving and expected to split touches close to evenly. Reliable in protection and as a receiver, and with Irving's 2025 injury history he is the obvious man to absorb a full workload — though he has never carried one for long.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Bucky Irving. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bucky Irving. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The saved assessment describes a back suited to rushing and passing situations. That broader skill set could help him stay on the field when the starter is absent, though the team can still split the work.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2021 · Round 5 · Pick 150

Drafted by PHI; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 114 carries and 73 receptions on 85 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Change-of-pace back

Sean Tucker

Age 24 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not establishedDated board designation: Questionable
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Speedy RB3 who offers a different archetype from Irving and Gainwell and has flashed in spot duty. A committee piece if either back above him missed time, not a lead-back solution.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Bucky Irving. The dated board currently prefers Kenny Gainwell for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2023 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 86 carries and 8 receptions on 11 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Josh Williams

Age 25 · 2 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Josh Williams is a rookie listed by TB at RB, from LSU.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2025 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Bucky Irving
101733086513.8
Kenny Gainwell
1711473102313.0
Josh Williams
—————
Sean Tucker
178683545.4
Bucky Irving: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1319 touches
Wk 1417 touches
Wk 1517 touches
Wk 1619 touches
Wk 1714 touches
Wk 1827 touches
Kenny Gainwell: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 137 touches
Wk 1410 touches
Wk 1520 touches
Wk 1614 touches
Wk 1710 touches
Wk 1813 touches
Sean Tucker: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 132 touches
Wk 147 touches
Wk 154 touches
Wk 164 touches
Wk 172 touches
Wk 184 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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