KennyGainwell

News: 4 hours agoGainwell rushed three times for five yards in Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Packers. He added two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown on two targets.

Spin: Gainwell was out-snapped 36 to 26 by Bucky Irving, who also handled 16 carries to Gainwell's three in Jalon Daniels' first career start at quarterback. Gainwell was the only running back to see a target out of the backfield for Tampa Bay, and he scored his first touchdown of 2026 with a 10-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Averaging just 5.25 touches per game, Gainwell isn't a recommended fantasy target in a broken Tampa Bay offense.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Gainwell signed with the Buccaneers following a second-half breakout with Pittsburgh last season. After playing sparingly during the first four-and-a-half years of his career, Gainwell averaged 13.3 touches, 85.0 yards and 17.8 fantasy points from Week 8 on last season (eight games). Only five backs scored more points than Gainwell after Week 10. He did most of his damage as a receiver (top six among RBs in targets, catches and receiving yards) and will now look to earn a similar role alongside Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay. Gainwell's strong season suggests he'll have a role, but the 23-year-old Irving is likely to operate as the lead back. Gainwell is best valued as a bench/insurance stash with some flex appeal in deep PPR leagues.