Analysis: Shepard was active for the contest, but with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan active and the rest of the Buccaneers' receiving corps also healthy, the veteran wideout failed to see the field for the first time all season. With both Tez Johnson and even Kameron Johnson running ahead of Shepard at the moment, the latter is a fantasy non-factor.

Analysis: Johnson saw both Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan return to the field Thursday, making it wholly unsurprising the rookie was limited to just one target and logged his lowest snap count (15) since his Week 1 NFL debut. Johnson was unable to convert that single look into a catch, making it two straight games without a reception. Provided the Buccaneers' receiving corps remains at full strength for the team's remaining three regular-season games, Johnson figures to remain a fantasy afterthought.

Analysis: As his final rushing line implies, Irving was largely held in check by a feisty Falcons front seven, leading to third straight game averaging under 4.0 yards per carry. Irving was the unquestioned lead back, outpacing Rachaad White by a whopping 15 carries and logging 12 more rush attempts than Sean Tucker as well. Irving's reception total was also his lowest of the season, and he'll look to atone against the Panthers on the road in a key Week 16 matchup on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Analysis: Mayfield clawed his way to an impressive yardage total despite finding himself under constant pressure, taking five sacks and seven official hits overall. The veteran signal-caller did clearly benefit from the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve, as the duo accounted for 170 total receiving yards, with 132 of those coming from Evans. Mayfield's one interception was also particularly critical to the outcome, as it came with 8:28 remaining at the Falcons' 33-yard line and ultimately led to an Atlanta touchdown that narrowed what had been a 28-20 deficit. On the brighter side, Mayfield's yardage total was his best since Week 5, and he'll aim to keep the Buccaneers' playoff hopes afloat with a more efficient performance in a Week 16 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Analysis: Taking the field for the first time since Week 7, Evans looked as good head coach Todd Bowles had reported the star receiver had during this week's practices. Evans made his first catch for a gain of 12 yards on the Buccaneers' second drive, and he went on to add noteworthy gains of 12 and 33 yards later in the first half. The perennial Pro Bowler would go on to add a 45-yard grab on the first second-half possession, a reception that accounted for half of the yards on a drive that culminated in a Devin Culp six-yard touchdown grab. Evans' receptions, receiving yard and targets were all season highs, and he'll aim to carry over the momentum into a Week 16 divisional road clash against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Analysis: Otton opened Week 15 prep with back-to-back DNPs before returning as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, but his doubtful listing for Thursday's game indicated he was trending toward an absence, which now has been confirmed. Tampa Bay will entrust TE duties to Payne Durham and Devin Culp this week, while Otton's next chance to play is Sunday, Dec. 21 at Carolina.

Analysis: McMillan thus is eligible for his first game action since he suffered three neck fractures and significant ligament damage in his neck back in preseason Week 2 in mid-August. Fellow WR Mike Evans (collarbone) also is active for the first time since Week 7, but because both players didn't log more than a limited practice this week, the pair seemingly will have a cap on their reps Thursday while working behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin and alongside Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson.

Analysis: Evans thus is in line for his first appearance since Week 7, when he initially suffered a broken collarbone. Since he returned to practice last Wednesday, he was listed as limited on all six of the Buccaneers' injury reports, and coach Todd Bowles revealed to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times this Wednesday that Evans has yet to take contact. On Thursday afternoon, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported that Evans was expected to play in Week 15, but the veteran wide receiver also will be operating under a snap count. As a result, Evans seemingly will be working behind at least Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin in the pecking order at the position, while Jalen McMillan (neck), Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson also will be on hand for snaps and targets.

Analysis: Evans' availability won't be confirmed until Tampa Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but he looks poised to play for the first time since Week 7 after the Buccaneers activated him from injured reserve Wednesday. Though the 32-year-old wideout didn't take full contact at any point since having his 21-day practice window opened last Wednesday, the Buccaneers feel comfortable enough with how he's recovered from a broken clavicle to clear him for game action. As Fowler notes, Evans probably won't play his usual complement of snaps, but Tampa Bay plans to have him on the field for its most important downs. If Evans escapes Thursday's contest without incident, he should be ready to handle a fuller workload Week 16 at Carolina.

Analysis: Since Tampa Bay designated him for return from injured reserve last Wednesday, Evans has been listed as limited on six consecutive injury reports, and coach Todd Bowles told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times this Wednesday that the veteran wide receiver had yet to take any contact but remained a possibility to play Thursday. Evans' status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if he's able to suit up, he may be operating with restrictions considering Bowles' comment. Jalen McMillan (neck) also was activated from IR on Wednesday, so the Buccaneers very well could have their full complement of wide receivers available for the first time this season.

Analysis: McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) have both been activated from IR and are listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football after having been limited in three consecutive practices. Final word on McMillan's status for Week 15 will arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but it's a positive sign to see him activated from IR in time to be eligible to suit up against Atlanta.

Analysis: McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) are both officially listed as questionable after having logged a trio of limited practices, and will need to be activated from IR in advance of Thursday's matchup in order to be eligible to take the field. A 2024 third-round pick, McMillan is working to make his 2025 regular-season debut after having suffered a significant neck injury during an Aug. 16 preseason clash against the Steelers.

Analysis: Evans has officially been listed as limited across all three of Tampa Bay's practice reports for Week 15, though head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that the veteran wideout still hasn't had any contact, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The 32-year-old has missed each of the Buccaneers' last six games due to a broken collarbone, and it appears his status for Thursday's contest could come down to the wire. Per Scott Smith of the team's official site, Bowles said Evans and Jalen McMillan (neck) both "looked like they never left [...] in practice." Both wideouts will have to be brought off IR in advance of Thursday's contest in order to be eligible to suit up.

Analysis: Otton was labeled a non-participant on Tampa Bay's first two injury reports of Week 15, and it appears he's trending in the wrong direction for Thursday's contest against Atlanta. Payne Durham will figure to step up as the Buccaneers' top tight end if Otton is unable to suit up for Thursday Night Football. It's a positive development, at the very least, that Otton returned to practice as a limited participant Wednesday, as Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Analysis: McMillan is inching his way toward making his 2025 regular-season debut after starting the year on injured reserve due to a neck injury during the preseason in mid-August. The Buccaneers will likely host a normal practice Wednesday, and McMillan's participation in that session will provide clarity over whether he'll be activated off IR ahead of Thursday's NFC South tilt against Atlanta.

Analysis: Otton has now been considered a non-participant at each of Tampa Bay's first two team sessions of the week, placing some doubt on his status for Week 15. The tight end will have one more chance to participate Wednesday before the team squares off with the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. If Otton can't play, Payne Durham would stand to operate as the team's top tight end versus Atlanta.

Analysis: Evans has now opened the week with back-to-back limited tags on the team's injury report, and he'll look to be a full participant at Wednesday's final session before Week 15. The wide receiver is looking to make his return to action after missing the last six contests while on injured reserve with a broken collarbone, and the 32-year-old is trending in the right direction. The team's final injury report of the week will arrive Wednesday and provide more clarity to his status for Thursday night's matchup with the Falcons.

Analysis: Godwin was able to be considered a full participant after opening the week limited on the team's initial practice estimate Monday. The wide receiver is coming off of a performance in which he caught a season-high five passes on eight targets for 55 yards in the team's 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday, and he'll look to keep it up during Thursday Night Football against Atlanta.

Analysis: The same applies to fellow WR Mike Evans (collarbone), with coach Todd Bowles noting Monday that both players are in play to potentially return to action Thursday night against the Falcons, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. McMillan has yet to see game action this season after having suffered a neck injury during an Aug. 16 preseason tilt against the Steelers.

Analysis: The wideout hasn't played since suffering a broken collarbone Oct. 20, but coach Todd Bowles noted Monday that both Evans and Jalen McMillan (neck) are in play to potentially return to action Thursday night against the Falcons, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Look for added context regarding the duo's Week 15 status to arrive in conjunction with Tuesday's practice/injury report.