Does Sean Tucker Become The Bucs’ Starting RB This Week?
Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
Bucs running back Sean Tucker had his best game of the season on Sunday with 106 rushing yards on 19 attempts and two rushing two touchdowns along with two catches for 34 yards and a receiving touchdown. Coincidentally, it’s the most playing time and rushing attempts that Tucker has had all season.
With 202 total yards on the ground, it was the best rushing performance by the Buccaneers all season. It’s an area that the team has struggled with a little more this season due to injuries on the offensive line and the absence of starting running back Bucky Irving. Tucker became the first back this season for Tampa Bay to eclipse 100 yards rushing.
It’s been all Rachaad White and Tucker at running back with Irving out since Week 5. It was White who has been the starter, but Tucker has been more impactful. Sunday’s game was also the first time that Tucker had more attempts than White at 19 to 10, even though White played more snaps.
“He got started off hot early,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said after the game. “We went with the hot hand and once you get a hot hand we kind of leave you in there regardless of who the back is and today it was him. He did a great job.”
It isn’t even as if White played poorly. He averaged 5.1 yards per rush against the Bills, going for 51 yards on the 10 attempts. What separates these two is the explosiveness of Tucker, who had a scintillating 43-yard touchdown run, a rush of 14 yards and a 28-yard catch and run for a touchdown. White’s longest play was a 12-yard run.
Will Bucs Commit To Sean Tucker As The Starter?
Does this become the time that Sean Tucker usurps White as the lead running back? Todd Bowles didn’t necessarily feel that way, giving a vague response. It sounds like it’ll be status quo as he once again brought up that the player with the momentum will continue to go.
“That’s hard to say,” Bowles said. “We go with the hot hand. We’ve got three good backs – we play them all, rotate them all, and whichever one gets hot usually gets the most touches.”
There’s uncertainty on when Bucky Irving is going to play, although he started practicing last week. Rookie undrafted free agent Josh Williams was suspended for six games last week, so he still has five more games before he can return. Owen Wright is there in case anything happens to White and Tucker, so it’s those two that’ll lead the group in the running game.
Ultimately it doesn’t matter if White gets the start if Tucker is going to have more attempts. The gap was moved closer in terms of playing time as Rachaad White out-snapped Tucker 60% to 40% on Sunday compared to 70% and 30% two weeks ago. The Bucs still don’t totally trust Tucker in pass blocking on third downs, so White will still have that role if Tucker continues to tote the football on rushing plays.
Bucs Need More Of Sean Tucker In Next Game At The Rams
But with a huge matchup coming up against the Rams, the Buccaneers are looking to avoid having a three-game losing streak. Tampa Bay is going to need as many explosive plays as possible and Sean Tucker gives them that element that others on this team can’t. It would be in the best interest of the offense to keep Tucker on more if they want to pull off the upset.
Aaron Rodgers Injury: Steelers QB Gets Good News Ahead of Bears Game
The path toward Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers playing against the Chicago Bears in Week 12 is still open.
Rodgers suffered a fractured non-throwing wrist in the Steelers’ Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even though the injury was on his left wrist, it was assumed Rodgers might miss at least one game to let the break heal.
The future Hall of Famer, however, had other ideas, and according to a report from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Rodgers wanted to play vs. the Bears. Whether he could would likely depend on further testing, and according to Rapoport and NFL Media colleague Tom Pelissero, Rodgers got some good news.
“Aaron Rodgers underwent further tests Monday (Nov. 17) that confirmed he won’t need surgery on his fractured left wrist,” Pelissero posted to X on Nov. 18, citing sources.
He added, “Rodgers is pushing to play Sunday at Chicago. But doctors must clear him and his status moving forward is (to be determined).”
Aaron Rodgers Not Yet Ruled Out for Steelers-Bears in Week 12
Rapoport also weighed in, reiterating Rodgers’ desire and hope to play at Soldier Field in Week 12.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin met with reporters shortly after the NFL Media report to provide an update on Rodgers.
“Aaron’s got a fracture in his wrist. It does not require surgery,” he confirmed to reporters. “Really, it’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety and then it’s about how functional he is. We don’t have the answers to that as we stand here today.”
It doesn’t sound like Rodgers will practice much, if at all, this week, though.
“Certainly, I’d imagine we’d get some clarity as we get through the week,” Tomlin added. “I think his experience aids in that. He’s the type of guy and has the type of profile that it doesn’t require a lot of physical work to be ready to play, and that’s helpful.”
Ultimately, it will come down to whether Rodgers can protect himself and still be effective under center. There’s also pain tolerance to consider, but Tomlin doesn’t sound concerned on that front.
“That doesn’t seem to be an issue with Aaron. He wanted to go back into the game on Sunday,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers had a lead over the Bengals when Rodgers suffered the injury. He left the game and was given a questionable-to-return designation. wouldn’t say whether Rodgers would have been able to return if needed.
Aaron Rodgers Injury Comes at Pivotal Time in Steelers Schedule
Rodgers and the Steelers are doing all they can to hold off the charging Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. The Ravens, who started 1-5, have won four straight and sit just a game behind the first-place Steelers.
Pittsburgh has three divisional games remaining, including both against the Ravens, so the division is far from settled. The Steelers seemingly would want to make sure Rodgers is healthy for those games, but if there’s no risk of him making the injury worse, it’s easy to see why he’d want to get one more shot at his longtime rival, the Bears, before his likely retirement at season’s end.
If Rodgers can’t go against the Bears, Mason Rudolph is next man up on the Steelers depth chart, followed by Will Howard.
