The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played their worst game of Tom Brady’s tenure on Sunday night. Brady was on the wrong side of a shutout for the first time since 2006. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the football gods added injury to insult with the Bucs losing Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Leonard Fournette. What do we know about the Bucs’ extensive injury report, and what is the fantasy football impact going forward?
Mike Evans injury update
We’ll start with the good news and work our way down. Evans elevated to high-point a catch and came down hard, resulting in him leaving the game. I was certainly surprised to find out the injury he sustained was to his hamstring.
While hamstring injuries are always tricky, Evans’ seems extremely minor. The Bucs are locked into the playoffs, so with just three weeks left, they may be extra careful. With that said, there’s a real chance Evans avoids missing any time. Even a one-game absence would be devastating for his fantasy managers that were able to survive Week 15, but it sounds like Evans won’t be out long, if at all.
Leonard Fournette injury update
Fournette was helicoptered on a run and landed with his leg extended awkwardly. He limped off the field with a strained hamstring and had to be helped to the locker room. Fortunately, the injury appears to have looked worse than it is.
Fournette is only expected to miss a game or two, which is great for a team with Super Bowl aspirations but crushing for fantasy managers. With just three games left in the regular season, it seems likely the Bucs will proceed with caution and hold Fournette out until the playoffs. Fantasy managers that made it through Week 15 will have to make do and win without the elite RB1.
Fantasy impact of Leonard Fournette’s injury
Following Fournette’s departure, Ronald Jones took over as the primary runner. However, Ke’Shawn Vaughn was in on passing downs and the hurry-up offense. Jones was already on many fantasy rosters as Fournette’s handcuff. Plus, Fournette didn’t practice the first two days of last week due to ankle soreness, which prompted fantasy managers to go out and grab Jones just in case. He will be a viable RB2 with touchdown upside over the next two weeks.
Vaughn is probably worth picking up as well, but there’s no way you’d feel confident starting him. He would be nothing more than a desperation RB3 play on the hopes that he racks up a couple of receptions. Vaughn did drop an easy target and drew the ire of Brady, so it remains to be seen how much he’ll be involved going forward.
Chris Godwin injury update
Godwin’s injury is the worst of the three. He took a very ugly-looking hit to his knee that gave me Jaylon Smith at Notre Dame vibes. At first glance, not only did I think Godwin’s season was over, but I thought his 2022 was in serious jeopardy.
Initially, tests revealed Godwin merely sprained his MCL. However, subsequent tests realized my worst fears. Godwin tore his ACL. This is truly awful news. Hopefully, surgery goes well and Godwin is ready to play for the start of the 2022 season.
Antonio Brown status update
Antonio Brown hasn’t played since Week 6 due to a heel injury. He’s also been suspended for the past three weeks due to submitting a fake vaccination card to the NFL.
Brown is expected back in Week 16, and the Bucs are going to need him. He was operating as the team’s WR1 before getting hurt and will likely return to that role with Godwin out and Evans possibly missing as well.
Fantasy managers who have been sitting on AB and made it this far may end up with a league-winner. Without Fournette and Godwin, 36% of Brady’s targets need to be replaced.
From Weeks 4-6, AB averaged 10.6 targets per game. He has a legitimate chance to be a WR1 over the final two weeks of the fantasy season.
The rest of the Bucs
The other two Bucs warranting discussion are Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller. They led all wide receivers in snaps (95% and 78%, respectively), which gives us an idea of who the next men up are.
Johnson and Miller have flashed at various times in the past, but Godwin and Evans haven’t missed any games this season. If AB is back and Evans plays, neither is going to be valuable. If two of the Bucs’ big three are out, one of Johnson or Miller will likely be worth starting. Desperate fantasy managers can do worse than grab the potentially WR2 in an Angry Tom Brady offense.