Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Speaking to sportscaster Jim Gray in his weekly podcast appearance, Tom Brady was asked jokingly if he would retire and then unretire if tight end Rob Gronkowski — who has retired twice from the NFL — unretires again.

"Well, I think next time I decide to retire, that's it for me," a chuckling Brady said on their "Let's Go!" podcast, which was released Monday. "So whenever that day comes, we'll figure it out ... I'm going to take my time whenever that time does come."

How the rest of the season goes could determine whether or not Brady returns next year. At times, he hasn't looked like the Tom Brady we're used to, but then flashes back to the 2000s in the blink of an eye.

Per Leonard, "I hate when people be on here just talking saying I’m out of shape etc do y’all understand I’m playing with a lisfranc in my foot every week can barley push off my foot but through the Grace of God I’m going to keep proving y’all wrong."

Related Players: Rachaad White, Ke'Shawn Vaughn

While it's admirable that Fournette is plugging away on an injured foot, he's also averaging 3.6 yards per carry on the season and has such lowlights as his three-week stretch between Weeks 7-9 when he accumulated 62 yards on 26 rushes (2.3 YPA). Look for Rachaad White to continue seeing a bigger role over the final two weeks of the season.

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.

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.

The Buccaneers ruled out RB Leonard Fournette (hip) for Sunday against the Browns.

The Bucs also activated Gio Bernard from injured reserve. Rachaad White should be the leader in the backfield for Tampa but we could also see Bernard and Ke’Shawn Vaughn as well. White is a solid RB2 option this week against the Browns, ranked as the easiest matchup this week for us here at 4For4 against opposing running backs.

Bucs are listing RB Leonard Fournette as doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Browns due to his hip injury.

Related Players: Rachaad White

Rachaad White may be in for a true breakout with the majority of the backfield to himself. He is currently ranked firmly in the RB2 discussion against the Browns porous run defense in Week 12.