Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Page 6

Julio Jones, Mike Evans upgraded to limited participants on Tuesday injury report.

Both players were listed as DNP on Monday so this is an upgrade ahead of this week's Thursday night game. Jones hasn't played since Week 4. Jones is dealing with a knee issue while Evans has an ankle injury.

Todd Bowles rules out four players for Sunday at Carolina: DL Akiem Hicks, WR Julio Jones, TE Cam Brate, and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting.

Related Players: Cade Otton

Cade Otton had the full TE1 role back in Week 5 and delivered acceptable results, finishing as the TE14, running a route at the third-highest rate (94.2%) amongst tight ends, and racking up seven targets. The team’s Week 7 implied total sits at 25.5, the fifth-highest mark of the slate, which provides some touchdown equity for Otton, who had two red zone targets in his lone start of the season.

Steve Wilks says P.J. Walker will start this week at QB.

Related players: Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield

Walker wasn't impressive in Week 6 but the Panthers likely have no other choice here. Mayfield is still hurt and Darnold was just designated to return, but will need more time.

Sam Darnold (ankle) has been designated to return from injured reserve and will be able to practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Related players: Baker Mayfield, P.J. Walker

Darnold now has 21 days to get ready. But given Mayfield's injury timetable and P.J. Walker's struggles last week, Darnold could end up starting in Week 7. It's a fluid situation at this point, but not one to get excited about in most fantasy leagues.

Buccaneers TE Cameron Brate, who left the field on a backboard yesterday, went home on the team flight, was in good spirits, and had all of his follow-up scans negative. He’ll be monitored, but as it pertains to his neck, this is good news.

Related Players: Cade Otton

After Brate's recent history with neck/head injuries, it would be safe to assume that he will not be suiting up for Week 7. This would open the door for rookie fourth-rounder Cade Otton, who has ten targets across the last two games.

Panthers QB Baker Mayfield not going on IR as of now, leaving open the possibility he could be back within four games.

Related players: Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker

Mayfield received second opinions on his high ankle sprain that confirmed there’s no major damage and no surgery is needed, per sources, the tweet said. With Darnold still out, Walker is expected to get any starts Mayfield will miss. Outside of deep superflex leagues, Walker looks to be someone to stay away from right now in typical redraft leagues.

Not even a full day after losing Baker Mayfield for an indeterminate amount of time, Matt Rhule has been fired.

Related Players: P.J. Walker

Former XFL standout P.J. Walker is the presumed starter as of now for Week 6. Over his NFL career, he is 57-of-128 (57%) for 790 yards, two touchdowns, and eight interceptions, including a 60-0-0 line on six attempts on Sunday, while working in relief of Mayfield.

Bucs ruled out TE Cameron Brate for Sunday’s game against Atlanta due to the concussion he suffered last Sunday night vs. the Chiefs.

Related Players: Cade Otton

Rookie Cade Otton should be in line to receive much of the tight end looks, after running a season-high 29 routes with Brate's departure in Week 4. He is worth a look in DFS main-slate lineups.