Buccaneers Running Back Sean Tucker a Game-Time Decision for Week 1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said running back Sean Tucker, who is dealing with an undisclosed issue, will be a game-time decision when the team opens its season, leaving his availability for Week 1 up in the air.

Tucker enters the season third on the Buccaneers’ depth chart at running back, behind Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. Still, he has been viewed as a candidate for goal-line carries in Tampa Bay’s backfield this year, which could make his status relevant beyond special teams and depth roles.

The update came via Greg Auman of FOX Sports, who covers the Buccaneers. Fox Corporation (FOXA), which operates a portfolio of news, sports, and entertainment brands including regional NFL coverage, saw its shares trade at $65.42 in Monday’s session, down 3.44% from the previous close of $67.75, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $27.7 billion.

Tucker’s practice participation during the week will be the key indicator of whether he suits up for the opener. If he sits, Tampa Bay’s backfield rotation would likely lean more heavily on Irving and Gainwell, with the goal-line workload potentially redistributed among the healthy backs.

What to watch

• Tucker’s practice reports leading up to kickoff, which will signal which way the game-time decision goes.
• The Buccaneers’ official Week 1 injury report and any inactive designation on game day.
• How carries are divided between Irving and Gainwell if Tucker is unavailable.

Source: original release