TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Flags are run in the end zone to celebrate a Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
That would be Rachaad White.
Veteran running backs Christian McCaffrey and Josh Jacobs are used to a massive workload. They and Jaguars RB Travis Etienne are the only running backs with more touches this season than White, who has 222 in 12 games.
Yeah, Joe realizes running backs used to take more of a pounding decades ago, but White’s total is significant. And it’ll be interesting to see if he can handle the pounding the Bucs plan to give him as this season enters the stretch run.
Anything over 300 touches in a season is a big number, and White is on that pace.
For perspective, in the two years former Bucs running back Doug Martin hit 300 touches (2012 and 2015), his body broke down the following season.
Old school Bucs fans remember a running back/fullback named Mike Alstott. He never had more than 269 touches in a season (1999). Warrick Dunn only twice broke 300 touches twice — late in his career with the Falcons in 2005 and 2006.
If the Bucs find their way to the playoffs, it’s likely because White has risen up to give them solid days hammering away on the ground between the tackles (not Joe’s choice, but you know it’s coming) and four to five good efforts a game as a receiver out of the backfield.
Joe is very interested in seeing whether White can handle the
