[](https://www.joebucsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Whitelongright.png)Joe remembers back in 2023 when Bucs running back Rachaad White was a dangerous weapon in the passing game, among the league’s best coming out of the backfield.
In that season, with a league-worst Bucs running game, White caught 64 balls, 36 percent of them for first downs. He averaged 8.6 yards per catch, which ranked fourth in the NFL.
Last year, 35 percent of White’s catches went for first downs as his yards per catch dipped to 7.7. Through eight games this year, White is averaging just 5.6 yards per catch. That ranks 24th in the NFL among running backs and just 28.5 percent of his receptions have gone for first downs.
What happened?
Joe’s not quite sure.
Joe does know the Bucs’ screen game has taken a step backward, and early in the year Baker Mayfield seemed disinterested in checkdown throws. Also, missing Mike Evans crowds the short-passing game landscape.
A key to the second-half of this season, Joe believes, is getting White on track again as a receiving weapon. Frankly, the Bucs could use him on first down to take pressure off the floundering run game and to possibly loosen up defenses.
Joe firmly does _not_ expect Bucky Irving to return for the Patriots game in eight days. For the Bucs to knock off the Patriots, Rams and/or Bills, their next three oppponents, White likely has to have a couple of do-it-all running back performances.