While the Tampa Bay ground gainers aren't superstars, their versatility can still make them valuable weapons on offense
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Week 3 of the National Football League season on a bit of shaky ground, they've been steadied by a solid but not spectacular running attack.
The Bucs (0-2) will battle the Minnesota Vikings at Raymond James Stadium in Week 3 of the NFL season. After a couple of weeks under their belts, the team hasn't looked very good. One of the aspects of the offense that has received some criticism early on has been the Tampa Bay running game, which is comprised of a handful of guys who have never truly reached elite status in The League.
While the names Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, and Sean Tucker won't strike fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators in the way Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, or Christian McCaffrey might, they are still capable of doing the job. The key will be to share the workload. Not just in the Buccaneers' battle with Minnesota on Sunday, but for the remainder of the season
Tampa Bay enters play this week ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing yards, but fifth in yards per carry, averaging 5.02 yards per attempt through two games. Their two rushing touchdowns put them among the league's more productive rushing offenses in the early season, despite Tampa Bay ranking just 25th in rushing attempts.
Irving has carried 25 times for 134 yards and one rushing touchdown, while grabbing 11 receptions for 49 yards. His value lies in his versatility, not in being a between-the-tackles Bull or an outside game-breaker. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is a weapon in his offensive arsenal if offensive coordinator Zac Robinson decides to dial that up.
As for Gainwell, the 27-year-old veteran has plenty of experience and a Super Bowl ring from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Like Irving, he's a player who gives you more than just a backfield option; he returns kicks as well. As for Tucker, a former undrafted free agent, he's appeared in one game and has no stats for the year.
At the same time, as a unit, the trio has combined for just 159 rushing yards in two weeks, for an average of 79.5 yards per game. That figure needs to increase to around 90, if for no other reason that to help take some of the pressure off star QB Baker Mayfield.
While the numbers aren't going to blow anyone away and the names involved aren't going to be appearing on any marquees, those are solid statistics. This situation may not be ideal, but the ground game hasn't been an Achilles' Heel for the team. If anything, it's helped them gain some footing during their winless start.
Now, they must leverage that balance and push forward. Not just while carrying the ball, but as an entire offensive unit. That's something they should be able to do against the Vikings' 25th-ranked defense; they've allowed exactly 100.0 ypg thus far in 2026.
