Kenny Gainwell is Playing Today, But the Bucs' Rushing Attack Still Looks Doomed

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are officially rolling out a banged-up running back to try and save their season. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Kenny Gainwell is "good to go" for today's divisional clash against the Atlanta Falcons after spending the week nursing a questionable hip.

Getting a starting running back on the field is usually a reason to celebrate, but let us be honest about what we are actually watching here. The Buccaneers are sitting at a miserable 2-5, and while they are fresh off a 43-13 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, they are now asking a guy with a bad joint to run into a brick wall.

"Jeremy Fowler reported Gainwell is 'good to go' for today's game."

For context, the Falcons currently boast the fourth-best run defense in the NFL. Atlanta is giving up just 88.9 rushing yards per game and has only allowed one opposing back to cross the century mark all season.

Gainwell has not exactly been a human highlight reel when fully healthy, either. Through seven games, he has managed just 149 rushing yards on 33 carries, failing to find the end zone on the ground even once. He does have one receiving touchdown, but asking him to carry the load today feels like asking a sedan to tow a yacht.

If you are staring at your fantasy lineup or looking at rushing props, you have to factor in the matchup nightmare. Gainwell has only hit the over on his rushing yards in three of his seven games this year, and the Buccaneers are also missing wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to a concussion, meaning Atlanta can stack the box without fear.

This game actually matters because the NFC South is currently operating as a competitive tragedy. The Falcons are tied for the division lead with a wildly mediocre 3-4 record, meaning a Tampa Bay win today somehow keeps them in the playoff hunt.

We will see how long Gainwell's hip holds up when the hits start coming at 1:00 PM. If he looks a step slow early, expect the Buccaneers to abandon the run entirely and put the entire game on Baker Mayfield's shoulders.