Eagles at Bucs: Could Devin White Make Impact?

SEPT 28 WHERE'S WHITE? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-1 without Devin White. The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-1 with him. But as these two contenders ready for Sunday NFL Week 4 and their playoff rematch in which White's Bucs crushed Philly - Devin is not the factor he was supposed to be.

CBS Sports is listing each team's biggest need ahead of the Week 4 schedule and oddly, they mention the absence of White as a problem for the reigning NFC South champion Bucs.

They write: "Linebacker is a problem area. The Buccaneers are allowing 3.60 yards per rush after contact, which is third-worst in the NFL ... "The room looks a lot different with Devin White now in Philadelphia."

No argument with the facts on the Bucs' tackling issues; they are one of the league leaders in missed tackles through the first three weeks of the season.

But suggesting that White is a factor here seems ... baseless. And why? He has contributed nothing to the Eagles' cause, as the 2019 first-round pick has been a healthy scratch for Week 2 and 3.

If the wounded Bucs could magically snap their fingers and bring back Devin White for a game? They might do so.

Related: Coach Reveals How To Get Mike Evans Rolling

But until further notice, there is no reason to think that Philly at Tampa Bay is in any way "about'' Devin White.

SEPT 27 TRICKY The Philadelphia Eagles know that this week's foe has multiple challenges at the wideout spot. Mike Evans is the big guy. And ... Chris Godwin has made his impact felt through the first three weeks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he has done it in more than one way.

A recent article by PFF details how Godwin could make a difference in the Week 4 slate: More screen passes.

"Buccaneers appear to be focusing on getting the ball to Chris Godwin on wide screens, a tactic used sparingly last season," PFF writes. "In 2023, Godwin was targeted just seven times on wide screens. This season, he has already been targeted five times, catching all five for 62 yards. Since entering the league in 2017, Godwin leads all players with 107 total targets on wide screens."

Is it a "secret''? Given his history, it shouldn't be to Philly. Is it a surprise to see the numbers? It doesn't need to be to Eagles fans anymore.

SEPT 27 THE SECRET? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are prepping to take on the Philadelphia Eagles is a rematch of last season's playoff blowout win for the Bucs. ... with a major change in place.

The Bucs have plenty to worry about because Saquon Barkley has jumped via free agency from the Giants to Philly ... and now he leads the NFL in rushing.

"He's a very talented back and his jump cut is unlike anything we've ever seen before," Bucs defensive back Zyon McCollum said. "We just need to do our job, but ... If we don't control the line of scrimmage... they'll push us off the ball and they'll just continue to run."

Barkley tops the NFL with 351 total yards and 117 yards per game. And altogether, the Eagles have a top-three rushing offense in the league. .. with QB Jalen Hurts also a threat.

Can the Bucs stop Saquon in Week 4? That's the key to this one.

SEPT 26 BUCKY OK? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gearing up for a Week 4 showdown against the 2-1 Philadelphia Eagles and they are hoping to have a budding star healthy enough to go.

Rookie running back Bucky Irving, is dealing with a hamstring injury and has not been a full participant in the Wednesday and Thursday practices.

Irving made it very clear on Thursday, however, that the injury is not a big deal and that he will be ready to go Sunday.

The 2-1 Bucs are seemingly ready to hand over the running back job to Irving, who leads the team in rushing yards with 154 on 25 carries.

SEPT 25 WHO'S WIDE? The Philadelphia Eagles have placed receiver Britain Covey on injured reserve, further thinning that position group as the prep to play Tampa Bay in NFL Sunday Week 4.

The Eagles are already dealing with problems here, featuring A.J. Brown, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, and DeVonta Smith, who sustained a concussion in that game.

The 2-1 Eagles could get some guys back, but for the moment, they only have Jahan Dotson left on their active roster at the position.

The Bucs are also 2-1 as they ready for Sunday's home game.

SEPT 23, DO IT YOURSELF Hey, if you want a job done right, do it yourself ... right?

The Atlanta Falcons didn't get a Sunday night win against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, as the Bucs' rivals lost a tight 22-17 in Week 3. But it was still a big evening at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the team inducted owner Arthur Blank into the Falcons Ring of Honor during halftime.

Which means Arthur Blank essentially voted himself in to his own team's "hall of fame.'' Cozy!

SEPT 22 BYE BRYCE? Are the Carolina Panthers already ready to give up on quarterback Bryce Young?

Young's presence is in doubt as he's been benched by Panthers head coach Dave Canales - the former Bucs coordinator - in favor of Andy Dalton. The move comes amid an 0-2 ... and Young, the former No. 1 overall pick out of Alabama, has been awful.

And so now come reports that the phone calls are rolling in.

"Several teams have expressed an interest in trading for quarterback Bryce Young, despite the fact coach Dave Canales said the Carolina Panthers do not intend to trade the former No. 1 overall pick, league sources told ESPN," Schefter wrote.

To us, that reads as CYA from the Panthers - and from ESPN. Consider what Schefter is reporting: That teams really want him ... but the Panthers do, too ... even though they don't.

As is often the case in Bristol, this seems like Sound and Fury stuff, as it is way too early to make definitive judgments on the next step in that unfortunate setup.