Fantasy football managers are constantly searching for that next breakout performer or valuable handcuff who could save their season. The waiver wire becomes a weekly battleground where smart pickups can make the difference between playoff contention and an early exit.
Running back depth is particularly crucial given the position’s injury-prone nature and unpredictable workload distributions. Week 5 presents another opportunity to add depth and potential upside to your roster. Are Rachaad White and Sean Tucker worth grabbing off the waiver wire?
*Rostered percentages taken from Yahoo! In-depth stats from Pro Football Reference.
Should Rachaad White and Sean Tucker Be Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds in Week 5?
Over the first four weeks of the 2025 season, second-year running back Bucky Irving has helped himself to a 70.21% snap share. That’s after a phenomenal showing in the second half of his rookie year, totalling 921 total scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in his final eight games.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving (foot) is expected to miss Sunday’s game vs. Seahawks and is in danger of missing next week vs. 49ers, per source.
Rookie Josh Williams figures to be active this week as a third back in Irving’s absence. pic.twitter.com/TUTUsnCfUE
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 3, 2025
For the most part, White has taken on the rest of the Buccaneers’ rushing workload, with Tucker playing just three offensive snaps so far. That will undoubtedly change in Week 5, with Irving expected to miss the game with a foot injury.
With Irving out and both White and Tucker in line for more opportunities, is either backup worth rushing to the waiver wire for this week?
Rachaad White
Rostered 61%
White may already be rostered in your league, and Irving’s injury will make him an expensive trade option considering his limited starting window. However, if he is on the waiver wire in your league, he won’t still be there on Sunday.
The Buccaneers face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5, which isn’t the ideal matchup for any running back. Despite Seattle’s stingy run defense, the NFC West team has faced the third-most targets to opposition running backs (34), allowing the most receiving yards to the position (266).
That should suit White, who will likely dominate receiving work out of the backfield, regardless of the rushing splits with Tucker. White will also take on the lead role on Sunday, should Irving miss time as expected, with at least a 60% snap share likely.
White is more than a typical desperation waiver add this week. Despite playing a top run defense, he should be treated as a mid-low-end RB2 when picking your lineups.
Sean Tucker
Rostered 8%
While White is a no-brainer if available, Tucker faces a more challenging climb to fantasy relevance. The third-year back has impressed when given the opportunity in Tampa Bay, but his near-non-existence on offense this season is difficult to ignore.
Tucker should inherit at least White’s 31.56% snap share, but his production is more difficult to project. Only four teams have allowed fewer rushing yards per attempt than Seattle (3.6) this season. The Seahawks have allowed fewer than 90 total rushing yards in each of their last three games and fewer than 80 in two of those.
Given that Tucker will be limited to a supporting role, he should be considered a touchdown-dependent flex play at best. If you’re desperate at running back, due to injuries and bye weeks, Tucker may be among the best available options, but anyone you drafted is likely a better option this week.
In Week 6, the Bucs face the San Francisco 49ers, which should be a better matchup for Tucker if Irving remains sidelined. Overall, those with space, or a roster-clogger to get rid of, can lodge a modest bid for Tucker, who has produced huge weeks for fantasy in the past.
White is the priority target on waivers if both players are available. Tucker should probably be stashed until Irving’s injury timeline becomes clearer, but shouldn’t be prioritized for Week 5 against a difficult opponent. It doesn’t sound like Irving will miss more than two or three weeks; factor that in when submitting bids for either player.
