Bowles reaffirms Gainwell's role despite quiet start to season

Tampa Bay's head coach says the running back remains a '1B' option and will be needed heavily over the course of the year.

Kenny Gainwell has managed only 33 yards from scrimmage across Tampa Bay's first two games, both losses. His totals include seven rushing attempts for 25 yards and four catches for eight yards, with his busiest contribution coming elsewhere: four kickoff returns for 100 yards.

Head coach Todd Bowles brushed aside questions about the workload split on Monday. He described Gainwell as a "1B" back, noted that Bucky Irving simply ran hot in the loss to Cleveland, and pointed out that Gainwell is also chipping in on special teams.

Irving has led the backfield so far, rushing 17 times for 89 yards against the Browns in Sunday's 23-19 defeat. Gainwell saw brief action late in the first half of that game, converting a first down on a short-yardage run and adding a five-yard catch plus a seven-yard carry.

Bowles also name-checked Sean Tucker and Josh Williams at the position, though his praise for Gainwell was far more emphatic. By his account, the Buccaneers anticipate a far bigger contribution from the veteran as the season unfolds.