Tampa Bay's first practice report of the week is out, and Bucky Irving wasn't practicing. There was hope the bye week would get him healthy, but initial indications aren't good. Neither, by the way, is the Week 10 matchup.
The Bucs are home against the Patriots, and that's the league's top-ranked run defense right now. They've been stoning opposing running backs all season.
If Irving plays, it will probably be a committee with Rachaad White as they ease the starter back in. If he's out, White should be featured, with Sean Tucker a change-of-pace. Either way, your best hope is what those players will be doing in the passing game.
Table shows what opposing main running backs have done against the Patriots this year. Because the Titans were using a timeshare, I used both backs. Regardless, only two of those nine opponents have gotten in the end zone. None rushed for even 50 yards. Only one rushed for more than 3.8 yards per carry. It's a really good run defense.
With all of them, it's what they did in the passing game that saved their day (if at all). Five caught 5-plus passes. That's what you'll be hoping for if you start a Tampa Bay running back this week.
| RUNNING BACKS VERSUS THE PATRIOTS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Run | Avg | No | Rec | TD |
| Jeanty, L.V. | 19 | 38 | 2.0 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Achane, Mia. | 11 | 30 | 2.7 | 8 | 92 | 1 |
| Warren, Pit. | 18 | 47 | 2.6 | 5 | 34 | 0 |
| Hubbard, Car. | 10 | 49 | 4.9 | 3 | 20 | 0 |
| Cook, Buf. | 15 | 49 | 3.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kamara, N.O. | 10 | 31 | 3.1 | 5 | 45 | 0 |
| Pollard/Spears | 11 | 40 | 3.6 | 9 | 61 | 0 |
| Judkins, Cle. | 9 | 19 | 2.1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| Robinson, Atl. | 12 | 46 | 3.8 | 8 | 50 | 0 |
--Andy Richardson