The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received some surprising, disappointing injury news on Saturday. Per NFL insider Adam Schefter, Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (knee) has joined the team’s injury report, being downgraded to questionable for Sunday’s tilt against the Indianapolis Colts.
White became a late addition to the injury report, suggesting his knee injury flared up in practice on Friday. The lead back was a full participant at practice earlier in the week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White: Inefficient in First-Year Starting
White entered the NFL as a third-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. The Arizona State product played behind Leonard Fournette as a rookie, rushing 129 times for 481 yards and a score. He also caught 50 balls for 290 yards and two touchdowns. However, the duo of Fournette and White contributed to the Bucs finishing dead last in the NFL regarding rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and rushing yards per attempt.
Tampa Bay let Fournette walk this offseason, leaving White as the lead back for the 2023 campaign. He has struggled as the feature back in Dave Canales’ offensive system, rushing 141 times for 459 yards (3.3 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns. White has failed to surpass 4.0 yards per rush attempt in his last three games despite scoring four times during that span.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Depth Chart if White is OUT
Tampa Bay will most likely use a combo of Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Sean Tucker, and Chase Edmonds on Sunday if Rachaad White can’t play. The trio inspires little hope for production, averaging under 2.2 yards per rush attempt this season. Vaughn has taken 24 carries for 42 yards in 2023. Meanwhile, Edmonds has received 18 carries for 37 yards while catching five passes for 24 yards. The rookie Tucker has seen the least action, rushing for 23 yards on 15 attempts.
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