Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Page 3

Saying he was “bored” not playing football, retired tight end Rob Gronkowski contacted the Bucs last month about a possible return to the team. The Bucs had several conversations with Gronkowski around Thanksgiving about him possibly reuniting with quarterback Tom Brady to help the struggling squad secure a playoff berth.

Related Players: Cade Otton, Cameron Brate

Even if he were to return, it is very unlikely it would have an impact on typical redraft leagues, but what a crazy wrench it would throw into playoff-only leagues. Gronk went 8-110-2 in the 2020 postseason and followed it up with a 9-116-1 performance in two 2021 postseason games.

Per Auman, "I did not see Bucs running back Leonard Fournette at practice today, after he was added to the injury report Thursday with a foot problem."

Related Players: Rachaad White

We've been here with Rachaad White, and he totaled 45 touches in his two-game stint with Fournette sidelined. He would return to high-end RB2 territory if Fournette were to miss Week 14.

New Rams QB Baker Mayfield is expected to be active tonight vs. the Raiders, and there’s a real chance he plays. His role will depend in part on how John Wolford (questionable, neck) is feeling. Mayfield got in Tuesday night and is up to speed on the full game plan.

Mayfield was on the verge of being the worst active quarterback in the NFL this season, so trusting him with only 48 hours to learn a new offense would be quite the stretch. Tyler Higbee could be usable as a back-end TE1 option, but it's best to simply stay away from the Rams wherever possible.

One day after the Los Angeles Rams claimed quarterback Baker Mayfield off waivers, coach Sean McVay said the team was still working through the quarterback's status for the Rams' Week 14 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night.

Related players: John Wolford

During his news conference on Wednesday, McVay said Mayfield arrived at the Rams' facility only 14 hours prior. The coach said he "would lean toward" Mayfield being active for the game, but "whether or not that means that he would play or that he would be available in an emergency setting is something that we're going to continue to work through," the story went on to say.

New quarterback Baker Mayfield, who became a member of the team at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday night, could play on Thursday night, when the Rams host the Raiders.

Related players: John Wolford, Bryce Perkins

Mayfield was rumored to be heading to San Francisco, but other rumors said the Rams would scoop him up to stick it to their division rivals. Others said the Rams have several prime time games coming up over the finals weeks of the season and Mayfield could be a way to keep interest in the fan base. Wolford is also dealing with some injuries so there is also a need with Perkins pretty much unproven. No matter what the reason, Mayfield is a Ram, and it's possible he jumps right into action on Thursday night, although it's probably a longshot. The team did send Mayfield the playbook to study on the way to LA, according to the story.

The Panthers are expected to release QB Baker Mayfield. He'll hit waivers when it's finalized later today.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker

Carolina quarterbacks have been a dumpster fire this year and Mayfield will now have to find a new home for an improbable career resurgence. Like for the Panthers to come out of their bye week with Sam Darnold solidified as their quarterback down the stretch.

John Wolford will start Sunday, per Sean McVay, and Bryce Perkins will be available as well. Sounds like the Rams could use both.

Matthew Stafford has apparently cleared concussion protocol, but the team is still keeping him out. It would be difficult to roll out practically any fantasy piece associated with this team at the moment. For the desperate, Van Jefferson could be considered a WR3/4, Tyler Higbee has a moderate probability of being a TE1/2 and Kyren Williams may operate as an RB3/4.

The Buccaneers have their first full practice of the week Thursday. All three guys held out Sunday — RB Leonard Fournette, WR Russell Gage, G Luke Goedeke — are practicing today.

Related Players: Rachaad White

While this points towards Fournette playing in Week 13, it's likely he takes a back seat to Rachaad White, who has been incredibly more efficient with the ball in his hands than the veteran has been looking in 2022. Fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach with Fournette, while White could be considered a RB2/3 if they are forced to split the backfield.