With Bucs running back Bucky Irving currently out with a foot sprain and a shoulder injury, the offense has turned to a familiar face to be the backfield workhorse in his stead. Rachaad White has filled in as the lead back for Tampa Bay’s last two games and will get a high volume of touches again in Monday night’s tilt against the Lions.

White’s value in deciding the outcome in recent weeks cannot go overlooked. Despite averaging just 3.4 yards per carry in a full-time role, he has added three crucial touchdowns while doing the dirty work and fighting for every yard in the process. Heading into Week 7, the rest of the offense sees his value as a complete back willing to do everything that is asked of him.

“He Pops Guys”: How Rachaad White Is Powering the Bucs’ Offense in Bucky Irving’s Absence

Rachaad White may have slimmed down over the offseason, but he still plays like a bruising running back. Whether that is running straight on and being fearless between the tackles or taking on an incoming pass rusher to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield, White does not back down. His latest efforts during the Bucs’ Week 6 win over the 49ers did not go unnoticed by offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.

Bucs RB Rachaad White and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I think Rachaad has done a good job,” Grizzard said about White’s performance while filling in for Irving. “There were definitely some plays last week that were really good hits. You can see guys getting a hat on a hat and he made some tough runs. There were a couple short-yardage runs where there wasn’t much there and ‘Chaad’ (Rachaad White) fought it out and was able to move the sticks, get us that first down, keep the drive going… ‘Chaad’ has always done a good job.”

This is the kind of run that Grizzard was alluding to, one where White fought through plenty of contact on a 10-yard run in the first quarter that set up his 2-yard touchdown run on the following play.

The guys that block for White upfront have noticed his tough playstyle, too. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs helped spring each of White’s touchdown runs against the Seahawks in Week 5, but it was the All-Pro offensive tackle who praised the fourth-year back for all the work he does to help the offense.

“Rachaad [White] has been here awhile now,” Wirfs said. “We all know how important – how big – he is to this team. I think I said it last week, I cannot remember how many times he has iced the game [with] a slide [or] breaks a big run. He does the selfless thing and slides down, but in pass protection, Rachaad puts his nose in there.

“He pops guys, and it is really cool to see – really fun for us as offensive linemen when he comes off the edge and chips some guys, that is always fun – helping us out a little bit. Rachaad is awesome; he is a great teammate, great player, and we are so blessed to have him.”

Rachaad White Remains The Lead RB As Bucs Prepare To Tame Lions

Things will not get any easier for the Bucs on Monday night, as they face the 4-2 Lions in Detroit. Both conference contenders are battling extensive injuries, making this game another chance for Tampa Bay to showcase resilience and pass its final test to be in the upper echelon of Super Bowl-caliber teams.

With that in mind, it is Rachaad White who will be a key factor in determining this game, as he will shoulder a heavy workload and look to complement Baker Mayfield as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Center Graham Barton spoke to Pewter Report on Thursday about White’s impact and how he is a Swiss army knife who has admirably filled Bucky Irving’s shoes.

Bucs RB Rachaad White and C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Rachaad is a stud,” Barton said. “He plays hard; he runs hard. Rachaad is really good about understanding what we’re trying to accomplish with our run scheme and where that hole may open up. It might be late, it might be developing, but he’s patient, he makes people miss, and he breaks tackles. He’s been great for us in the passing game, on third downs, and he’s been awesome in the screen game, too.

“Obviously, we all want Bucky to get healthy, he’s a great player for us too, but Rachaad is also an incredible player and does a great job for us. Proud of him and happy with the way he has been contributing.”

While White will be a big part of the offense, it will take a group effort to get the job done.

Bucs OC Josh Grizzard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Josh Grizzard has made the most of the pieces he has, finishing last week’s game with just tight end Cade Otton as the only starting skill-position player left from the beginning of the year. Plenty of players have stepped up under these circumstances, leading to back-to-back 30-point games against two tough defenses. Finding a groove and dialing up ways for success has Barton optimistic heading into primetime.

“‘Grizz’ is continuing to grow as a playcaller just like we’re growing as players,” Barton said. “Going into the season, he was new to playcalling, and I think he has done an outstanding job. He is learning our strengths – similar to something I felt Liam [Coen] went through last year. It takes a little bit to figure out what our team is good at this year and what works for us. ‘Grizz’ is starting to find his style and his identity as a playcaller and so I expect this team to continue to improve and continue to get better.”

Rachaad White’s blend of patience and power has helped steady the offense – and on Monday night in Detroit, the Bucs will once again lean on that balance to match the Lions’ physicality up front.