Is Bucky Irving Injured or Playing In Week 15? Should I Start Rachaad White For Fantasy Football?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (hip, back) has been sensational this season, coming on strong in the second half of the year and providing multiple week-winning performances in the past month. He's been a revelation for fantasy managers and the Bucs organization as well.

Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles took way too long to give him a bigger role in the offense, though he was pulled from his Week 14 game after just five touches, so there could have been concerns that he couldn't take a full workload. And they wouldn't have been completely unfounded.

Regardless, should you start Buck this week? Or if you have RB Rachaad White on your roster, should you start him?

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Is Bucky Irving Playing In Week 15?

His status is still very much up in the air. He's been described as a true game-time decision, meaning we may not know if he will go until around 90 minutes before kickoff if he's active. However, he didn't practice at all on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, so we think he has a strong chance of not playing.

INJURY REPORT: Mike Evans (hamstring) seen practicing on Friday after missing the last 2 days

Bucky Irving (hip/back) remains sidelined

— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) December 13, 2024

Even if he does play, it's probably not a good idea to start him. He'll likely be on a pitch count and have limited volume even if he plays and is able to finish the contest without further injury.

Should I Start Rachaad White for Fantasy Football Week 15

Yes. White is always a smash start when Irving doesn't play. The sheer volume he gets and the added receiving work is huge. He's now scored eight total touchdowns in his last seven contests and had a stretch of four games where he totaled 20 receptions for 164 yards and four touchdowns.

Rachaad White has been a TD machine lately 🫡pic.twitter.com/BRNC0L599t

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) November 5, 2024

His efficiency hasn't been great, but he's profited massively from the offensive line run blocking so well. And in offensive coordinator Liam Coen's offense, he's often given massive, wide open lanes to run through on receptions and runs. The role is too valuable for you to bench him. He should be started whether or not Irving suits up.

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