Kenny Gainwell
Running Back #14
Kenny Gainwell News
Kenny Gainwell is Avoidable in Week 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell hasn't been a viable fantasy option through the first six games of the regular season. That's unlikely to change against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. This past weekend, Gainwell rushed the ball twice for 17 yards while hauling in his lone target for seven yards. Gainwell has seen four or fewer rushing attempts in five straight games. There hasn't been much of a role for Gainwell in this offense, and that probably won't change with Bucky Irving doing well in the lead back role. Gainwell is worth holding in certain formats, but he's not a recommended starting option ahead of this Week 7 matchup.
Oct 23, 2026 11:28 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell is Barely on Flex Radar
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell continues to make a minimal impact on offense. Last week, Gainwell rushed the ball four times for 18 yards, while hauling in three receptions for 10 additional yards through the air during the win over the Dallas Cowboys. The expectation is that Gainwell is only going to see a handful of carries each week, with Bucky Irving having a lot of success as the lead back. He'll look to find more success against his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Week 6. Gainwell has given fantasy managers no reason to trust him thus far. He'll be a desperation flex option in deep leagues for this weekend.
Oct 16, 2026 11:17 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell Could Offer Deep-League Flex Value
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell was able to find the end zone for the first time during last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Gainwell hasn't seen as much attention in the offense as fantasy managers expected coming into the season. Last week, Gainwell carried the ball three times for five yards, while hauling in two receptions for 22 yards and one touchdown in the loss. It has been a down year for Gainwell, but he heads into a plus-matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. A defense that has struggled to contain both the passing and running game. Gainwell hasn't given fantasy managers many reasons to have faith in him, but he could be a flex option in deep leagues for this favorable matchup in Dallas.
Oct 7, 2026 4:14 PM EST
Bucs Looking to Get Sean Tucker, Kenny Gainwell More Involved
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that the flow of the game and long downs have prevented running back Sean Tucker from getting snaps sometimes, but he said that the offense needs to find ways to get Tucker and Kenny Gainwell more carries, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. It would be bad news for Bucky Irving's fantasy managers if both Tucker and Gainwell find more touches in Tampa's backfield. In the 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 on Sunday, Tucker played only three offensive snaps, carrying the ball three times for 10 yards. Gainwell, meanwhile, played 42% of the snaps and had three carries for five yards while catching both of his targets for 22 yards and a receiving touchdown. Irving led the backfield with a 58% snap share and a team-high 16 rushing attempts for 61 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. As long as Irving remains healthy, he will continue to see most of the early-down work for the Bucs, with Tucker and Gainwell battling for change-of-pace duties as the Buccaneers look for their first win of the season to kick off Week 5 on Thursday night on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
Oct 6, 2026 8:49 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell is Risky Flex Option
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell hasn't experienced much success in his new offense. Through three games, Gainwell has carried the ball 10 times for 21 yards, while hauling in six receptions for 22 yards through the air. Bucs' offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has stated that they want to get Gainwell more involved. It remains to be seen how Gainwell will perform with backup quarterback Jalon Daniels under center. Gainwell could factor more into the gameplan with Daniels under center and the team likely doing more short routes and screens. The 27-year-old should be viewed as a low-end flex option for the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Oct 2, 2026 11:36 AM EST
Buccaneers Want to Get Kenny Gainwell More Involved
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has seen just a 42.4% snap share in his first three games since joining the team on a two-year free agent deal, but offensive coordinator Zac Robinson told the media Thursday that he wants to get the veteran more involved. This line of thinking matches Robinson's early-season messaging of keeping Bucky Irving on a pitch count, but Robinson shared that the flow of the game has dictated a larger share of running back reps for Irving. With quarterback Baker Mayfield expected to miss at least three weeks after dislocating his right thumb in a Week 3 loss to the Vikings, Robinson could lean on more underneath passing to aid undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, and having caught the fourth most passes of all running backs in 2025, Gainwell could factor heavily into such a game plan. After earning a season-high five targets in Week 3, Gainwell is RotoBaller's RB45 ahead of a Week 4 matchup with the Packers.
Oct 1, 2026 9:41 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell Could Benefit from Bucky Irving Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell could be a solid waiver-wire option if Bucky Irving (undisclosed) is injured and misses time. Gainwell had three carries for -4 yards and added two receptions for 14 yards in the 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Despite his struggles, Irving did not see the field in the final 10 minutes of the game and had a wrap around his midsection as he watched from the sideline. If he misses time with this undisclosed injury, Gainwell and Sean Tucker would be the primary beneficiaries. Tucker has yet to record a stat this season and has played only one snap in two games, while Gainwell has played 42% of the snaps in three games. The Buccaneers could be without quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb), but despite that, their offensive struggles, and Gainwell's inefficiency, he should be monitored if Irving does not practice this week.
Sep 28, 2026 5:41 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell Offers Low-End Flex Appeal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is off to a slow start with his new team. Through two games, Gainwell has rushed for 25 yards on seven carries, while hauling in four passes for an additional eight yards. Fantasy managers expected much more from Gainwell, who caught a career-high 73 passes with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. His value could be on the rise with Bucs' offensive coordinator Zac Robinson saying the team wants to have lead back Bucky Irving on a pitch count. It's tough to imagine Gainwell offering a ton of upside against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 3. He could be a flex option in PPR formats, but most fantasy managers can probably leave him on the bench right now.
Sep 25, 2026 3:00 PM EST
Kenny Gainwell has Been a Bust Through Two Weeks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has not had the type of impact with his new team that fantasy managers who drafted him thought he would have through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. In losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Gainwell has only seven rushing attempts for 25 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and has caught four of five targets for eight yards through the air in new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's scheme. The 27-year-old caught a whopping 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games last year in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers with quarterback Aaron Rodgers checking down to him more often than not. There is still time for Gainwell to get more involved in Tampa, but his slow start is a reminder that he is not in Pittsburgh anymore. The Bucs could look to get Gainwell more involved as a pass-catcher as they search for their first win in Week 3 against the visiting Minnesota Vikings, but he has quickly fallen out of favor in fantasy leagues and should be considered a volatile RB3/flex in PPR formats this weekend.
Sep 24, 2026 8:34 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell Looks to Get More Involved in Week 2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell made his team debut against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Gainwell is expected to have a significant role in the backfield after recording a career-high 73 receptions last season with the Steelers. The 27-year-old had a forgettable start to his Bucs career in the loss to the Bengals. He carried the ball five times for 15 yards and hauled in his lone target for three yards. Bucky Irving is the lead back and figures to see a majority of the early down work. With that being said, Gainwell's best path to value is in the receiving game. He'll get a plus-matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. He's worth considering as a deep league flex option, but belongs on the bench in most formats until he proves himself.
Sep 18, 2026 11:12 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell's Week 1 Role Looks Less Valuable
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell was on the field plenty in Week 1, which almost makes his usage more concerning. He played 26 of 57 offensive snaps against Cincinnati, but finished with five carries for 15 yards and one catch for three. Bucky Irving played 35 snaps and saw 15 touches, including all seven of his targets. That's a rough split for Gainwell after he caught 73 passes in Pittsburgh last season and came to Tampa Bay expected to help on third downs. The Bucs even used both backs together on four plays, so his lack of work wasn't simply because Irving kept him off the field. Gainwell still has a role, but Week 1 didn't show much standalone fantasy value. Six touches on a 46% snap share is the part that stands out, especially with Irving handling the passing-game work that looked like Gainwell's clearest path to weekly usefulness.
Sep 17, 2026 11:35 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell Sneaks into Flex Conversation
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is set to make his team debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Gainwell will get a plus matchup to start against a Bengals defense that ranked in the bottom 10 this past season. The expectation is that Gainwell will play a similar role to what Rachaad White has done in Tampa Bay in the past. He'll likely be the favorite back in passing situations, but unlike White, Gainwell can be a trusted runner as well. Gainwell saw a career-high 114 rushing attempts this past season and averaged 4.71 YPC. He'll operate as the primary backup to Bucky Irving, but Gainwell should be one of the more trusted backups around the league. For fantasy managers in PPR leagues, Gainwell can be a legit flex option for the season opener against the Bengals.
Sep 11, 2026 1:19 PM EST
Kenny Gainwell Called a "Freak of Nature"
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs called new running back Kenny Gainwell "a freak of nature," according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Wirfs also called RB Bucky Irving "a joystick" because of how elusive he can be. Wirfs is very excited about the 1-2 punch that the Bucs have in the running game this year in new coordinator Zac Robinson's scheme. Even in a new offense in 2026, the 27-year-old Gainwell was a popular mid-round target in point-per-reception leagues this year after he caught an eye-opening 73 passes on 85 targets for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games last year in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gainwell also had a career-high 114 rushing attempts for 537 yards and a career-high-tying five rushing touchdowns. While fantasy managers should not necessarily expect Gainwell to match his passing-game production from 2025, he should at least be a strong weekly RB3/flex option for his pass-catching prowess, and he could be busy right away in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals in a game that could force the Bucs to pass more than they would like.
Sep 10, 2026 10:47 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell Could Feature Prominently in Red-Zone, Goal-Line Situations
FOX Sports' Greg Auman believes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell could feature prominently in red-zone and goal-to-go situations under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson in 2026. Gainwell is essentially replacing pass-catching RB Rachaad White in a new offense this year, but unlike White, the 27-year-old could be featured more in the red zone, which is bad news for fantasy managers who are hoping for a bounce-back year from Bucky Irving. Gainwell, a former fifth-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 from Memphis, broke out last year in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a receiver, catching 73 of 85 targets for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He added a career-high 114 carries for 537 yards and another four scores on the ground. Gainwell is expected to be used often alongside Irving in his first year in Tampa, giving him weekly RB3/flex upside, especially in point-per-reception leagues. He could come out of the gate strong in a Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, in which the Bucs may be forced to throw early and often.
Sep 8, 2026 12:36 PM EST
Kenny Gainwell Could See Larger Workload
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell was brought in to be additional depth in the backfield this upcoming season. The Bucs have Bucky Irving as their lead back, but that doesn't mean that Gainwell won't be involved. Gainwell received a two-year, $14 million deal from the Bucs this past offseason. He'll likely fill the pass-catching role in the backfield similar to what Rachaad White did the past few years. Given the injuries the Bucs are facing right now, Gainwell might be asked to do more than expected early in the season. Both Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) are banged up heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs could lean on Gainwell more as a receiving option if the Bucs are limited early in the year. The 27-year-old is looking like an intriguing PPR option heading into Week 1.
Sep 4, 2026 5:15 PM EST
Kenneth Gainwell Could Lead Buccaneers in All-Purpose Yards
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell could lead the team in all-purpose yards this season, according to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report. That sounds like a bold call with Bucky Irving still expected to lead the backfield, but Gainwell did exactly that for Pittsburgh last year. He finished 2025 with 1,656 all-purpose yards, piling up 537 on the ground, 486 as a receiver and another 633 on kickoff returns. Gainwell has carried that versatility into Tampa Bay. He has been used heavily as a receiver during camp, including in two-back packages with Irving, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has praised his ability to handle just about anything the offense asks of him. Irving should still get most of the carries, and Tampa Bay has not named Gainwell its primary kick returner. Reynolds' projection is aggressive, but Gainwell's receiving role and history of producing yards in several different ways give him a real path to making it happen.
Aug 28, 2026 11:14 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell has a Path to More PPR Upside
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell enters his first year with the team in 2026 after signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the team in free agency. The 27-year-old saw career highs across the board last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, carrying the ball 114 times for 537 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. What was most surprising, though, were his 73 receptions on 85 targets for 486 yards and three more scores as a pass-catcher. Gainwell will essentially be replacing Rachaad White in Tampa as a pass-catching specialist, albeit in a completely new offense under coordinator Zac Robinson. The speculation that third-string RB Sean Tucker will be cut before the start of the regular season could boost Gainwell's fantasy ceiling and his floor, with the vast majority of backfield touches going to Gainwell and Bucky Irving. And if Irving were to miss more time with an injury in 2026, Gainwell would have the highest ceiling of his NFL career as the Bucs' primary back. Tucker potentially being waived makes Gainwell an even more attractive RB3/flex with upside in PPR fantasy formats.
Aug 26, 2026 1:14 PM EST
Kenny Gainwell Could Lead Tampa Bay in Receptions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell had an excellent training camp and is set up for a big role in the team's offense. Gainwell could even lead the team in receptions, according to Greg Auman, since he has been working so well as a receiving back out of the backfield this preseason. Gainwell will be working in a timeshare with Bucky Irving, with both backs as effective options as pass-catchers in space. Gainwell had 73 catches for 486 yards and three scores in 2025 with the Steelers, but he could be even more involved in Tampa, depending on how the timeshare shakes out. Right now, Gainwell is the RB38 in RotoBaller's rankings, but he could be a great RB3 or flex option if he gets more work in the offense, especially near the goal line. Gainwell and Irving are both volatile options with lots of upside to consider in fantasy drafts, since their roles are unclear despite obvious upside from each side of the timeshare.
Aug 25, 2026 5:39 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell a High-Volume Sleeper in Fantasy Drafts?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has the potential to be a value pick at his current ADP of 88.9. He's being selected in the eighth round of fantasy drafts as the 32nd running back off the board. The Bucs signed Gainwell to join a backfield that also features Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker. While Irving is the clear No. 1 running back here, we expect to see Gainwell get plenty of volume, similar to his role with the Steelers in 2025. In Pittsburgh, he handled 114 carries and 73 receptions (187 touches) while teammate Jaylen Warren had 211 carries and 40 catches (254 touches). When all was said and done, the two backs combined for 441 touches, but Warren only had 67 more than Gainwell. It doesn't seem like the Bucs signed Gainwell to be solely a third-down back. Yes, he'll fetch plenty of targets, but he'll also get some early-down and goal-line work to offer a change of scenery and keep Irving fresh. In this type of role last year, Gainwell ranked as the RB16 in PPR leagues. He's the RB37 in RotoBaller's redraft rankings for 2026, but we wouldn't be shocked to see him finish as a top-24 fantasy back in PPR leagues for the second year in a row.
Aug 17, 2026 6:59 AM EST
Kenny Gainwell Not Practicing Friday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is not practicing on Friday, as indicated by Pewter Report. Gainwell has drawn praise from the local beat as a training camp standout, with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson recently telling reporters, "He is super versatile, and he is great with the ball in his hands," adding, "we will continue to find out where we can put him in the best spots." Gainwell's 73 receptions were the fourth most by a running back in 2025, and assuming his absence is not a prolonged one, he could step seamlessly into Rachaad White's vacated pass-catching role that has allowed for at least 50 receptions in three of the last four seasons. How much additional work he sees on the ground remains to be seen, but at RotoBaller's RB36, Gainwell is a potential late-round sleeper who could thrive in Robinson's wide zone offense.
Aug 7, 2026 6:15 AM EST
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