Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Bucs running back Sean Tucker had his best game of the season on Sunday with 106 rushing yards on 19 attempts and two rushing two touchdowns along with two catches for 34 yards and a receiving touchdown. Coincidentally, it’s the most playing time and rushing attempts that Tucker has had all season.

With 202 total yards on the ground, it was the best rushing performance by the Buccaneers all season. It’s an area that the team has struggled with a little more this season due to injuries on the offensive line and the absence of starting running back Bucky Irving. Tucker became the first back this season for Tampa Bay to eclipse 100 yards rushing.

It’s been all Rachaad White and Tucker at running back with Irving out since Week 5. It was White who has been the starter, but Tucker has been more impactful. Sunday’s game was also the first time that Tucker had more attempts than White at 19 to 10, even though White played more snaps.

Bucs RB Sean Tucker and RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

“He got started off hot early,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said after the game. “We went with the hot hand and once you get a hot hand we kind of leave you in there regardless of who the back is and today it was him. He did a great job.”

It isn’t even as if White played poorly. He averaged 5.1 yards per rush against the Bills, going for 51 yards on the 10 attempts. What separates these two is the explosiveness of Tucker, who had a scintillating 43-yard touchdown run, a rush of 14 yards and a 28-yard catch and run for a touchdown. White’s longest play was a 12-yard run.

Will Bucs Commit To Sean Tucker As The Starter?

Does this become the time that Sean Tucker usurps White as the lead running back? Todd Bowles didn’t necessarily feel that way, giving a vague response. It sounds like it’ll be status quo as he once again brought up that the player with the momentum will continue to go.

“That’s hard to say,” Bowles said. “We go with the hot hand. We’ve got three good backs – we play them all, rotate them all, and whichever one gets hot usually gets the most touches.”

There’s uncertainty on when Bucky Irving is going to play, although he started practicing last week. Rookie undrafted free agent Josh Williams was suspended for six games last week, so he still has five more games before he can return. Owen Wright is there in case anything happens to White and Tucker, so it’s those two that’ll lead the group in the running game.

Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Ultimately it doesn’t matter if White gets the start if Tucker is going to have more attempts. The gap was moved closer in terms of playing time as Rachaad White out-snapped Tucker 60% to 40% on Sunday compared to 70% and 30% two weeks ago. The Bucs still don’t totally trust Tucker in pass blocking on third downs, so White will still have that role if Tucker continues to tote the football on rushing plays.

Bucs Need More Of Sean Tucker In Next Game At The Rams

But with a huge matchup coming up against the Rams, the Buccaneers are looking to avoid having a three-game losing streak. Tampa Bay is going to need as many explosive plays as possible and Sean Tucker gives them that element that others on this team can’t. It would be in the best interest of the offense to keep Tucker on more if they want to pull off the upset.