Week 7 start/sit: Buccaneers at Panthers

Tampa Bay (1-5) plays at the Carolina Panthers (3-2) on Sunday, October 25, kickoff 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (6:00 p.m. CET), on FOX at Bank of America Stadium. Legion Report lists the Panthers as 3-point favorites with a total of 44.5, while Dimers had the opening line at 3.5 and a total of 44. Lines move, so treat this as a snapshot.

Key facts

• Tampa Bay (1-5) plays at the Carolina Panthers (3-2) on Sunday, October 25, at 1:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CET) at Bank of America Stadium.
• Carolina is a 3-point favorite with a 44.5-point total, per odds listed by Legion Report.
• Emeka Egbuka did not practice Wednesday (concussion and foot) and must clear the league's concussion protocol.
• Baker Mayfield was a full participant Wednesday for the first time since dislocating his right thumb in Week 3.
• Carolina ranks last in the NFL in yards allowed per carry (5.12), per buccaneers.com.

The Bucs arrive off a rough one. They led Pittsburgh 16-3 entering the fourth quarter of Week 6 and lost 26-19 in overtime, with Jalon Daniels throwing two interceptions and taking five sacks. Wednesday's injury report adds more questions than answers, so check Friday and Sunday morning before you lock anything in.

The matchup

Carolina's defense is a clear run-game target. It ranks 25th in yards allowed, 21st in points allowed, 27th against the run and last in the NFL in yards allowed per carry at 5.12, per buccaneers.com. That is the best news on the page for Bucky Irving.

The passing game is a harder read. For the third time in six games, Carolina is preparing for an opponent without knowing its starting quarterback, and it won the other two. Mayfield practiced Wednesday in a glove, and head coach Todd Bowles said he is "coming along fine." A decision comes later in the week.

Buccaneers start/sit/flex

Bucky Irving, RB, start. Irving played 63 of 74 offensive snaps (85%) against Pittsburgh and took the passing-down work from Kenny Gainwell, running 33 routes. His 19 carries for 46 yards were poor, but the volume is what you want against the league's worst yards-per-carry defense. He has averaged 136.0 scrimmage yards in four career games against Carolina. The catch: he is on the report with an illness and did not practice Wednesday. Start him, and confirm his Friday status.

Chris Godwin Jr., WR, start (WR3). Godwin played 68 snaps (92%) in Week 6 and has 216 receiving yards through six games. With Egbuka's status in doubt, he is the top target on the roster who is healthy. Carolina has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to receivers, according to one weekly ranking, so keep expectations at a safe floor rather than a big ceiling.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, sit. Egbuka caught 7 passes on a season-high 16 targets for 48 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh, but he did not practice Wednesday with a concussion and a foot injury. NBC Sports says he must clear the concussion protocol, and players usually miss at least one game in it. Sit him unless he is cleared and active, and have a backup plan.

Baker Mayfield, QB, flex (start only if cleared). Mayfield was a full participant Wednesday after missing three games with a dislocated right thumb. In his three games this season he completed 61 of 96 passes for 615 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, with 65 rushing yards. Carolina ranks 21st in points allowed, so he is a streamer-level QB at best. Do not start him until he is active.

Jalon Daniels, QB, sit. Daniels went 22 of 43 for 164 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions against Pittsburgh, was sacked five times and added 39 rushing yards on four carries. His PFF grade was 39.9. If Mayfield sits, Daniels is only a superflex or two-QB option.

Ted Hurst III, WR, flex (deep leagues, if Egbuka is out). Hurst played 37 snaps (50%) in Week 6, out-snapping Tez Johnson 37 to 25. If Egbuka sits, his role grows, but he is still a WR4 at best.

Cade Otton, TE, flex (streaming). Otton played all 74 offensive snaps and combined with Godwin for 10 catches in Week 6. The volume is dependable, the production is thin.

Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker, RB, sit. Gainwell played 11 snaps (15%) and Tucker did not play an offensive snap, so neither has fantasy value while Irving is healthy. If Irving cannot go, Gainwell becomes a desperation PPR flex.

Chase McLaughlin, K, start. McLaughlin made all four field goals (43, 47, 33 and 53 yards) against Pittsburgh, including the 53-yarder that tied the game in regulation. He is listed with an illness but was a full participant Wednesday.

Buccaneers D/ST, sit. Pittsburgh held the ball for 38:36, the defense logged 11 missed tackles per PFF, and Antoine Winfield Jr. was limited Wednesday with a rib injury. Carolina's Bryce Young has taken 12 sacks in five games, which gives the unit some upside, but the passing volume against it is a risk.

Panthers players to start against the Bucs

Bryce Young, QB, start. Young leads the NFL with 309.8 passing yards per game and has 11 touchdowns against 2 interceptions, per buccaneers.com. That volume makes him a safe start in any format.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, start. McMillan has 32 catches for 471 yards, tied for ninth in the NFL in receiving yards.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, start. Hubbard has 511 yards from scrimmage and ran for 120 yards against Philadelphia. The Bucs' run defense ranks second in the NFL, so his ceiling is capped, but his volume keeps him in the lineup. Hubbard was listed as a rest day Wednesday.

Jalen Coker, WR, flex. Coker returned from a quad injury and caught 6 passes for 97 yards against Philadelphia. He is a volume-dependent flex.

Waiver and streaming notes

Hurst is the main speculative add in deep leagues if Egbuka misses time. Do not chase Gainwell unless Irving's illness lingers into the weekend. If you are streaming a defense, look elsewhere: Young's passing volume makes the Bucs unit a risky pick.

The Friday report matters more than any of these verdicts. Mayfield's status decides how much to trust the passing game, and Egbuka's protocol decides how Godwin and Hurst are used.