Typically quiet in season finale

Brate brought in two of four targets for 39 yards in the Buccaneers' 34-32 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Analysis: Brate's pair of grabs was par for the course in terms of his per-game production this season, but his 19.5 yards per grab marked a welcome departure from the single-digit YPC figures Brate had generated in five of the prior six games. The Harvard product never quite looked like himself during the 2018 campaign, even after position mate O.J. Howard (ankle) went on injured reserve prior to Week 12. Brate never topped three receptions or Sunday's 39 yards in any contest this season, leading to a…read more

Middling numbers continue

Brate brought in two of his three targets for eight yards in the Buccaneers' 27-20 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.

Analysis: Lines like these have unfortunately become the norm for Brate, even in the wake of O.J. Howard's season-ending ankle and foot injuries. The ascension to the clear-cut No. 1 tight end role hasn't had any appreciable impact on the veteran's production, as he hasn't topped three receptions or 36 yards in any of the five games in which he's held that spot. Brate does have three touchdowns over that stretch, but two came in one contest against the Saints in Week 14. An exploitable matchup in the…read more

Minimal presence in loss

Brate secured one of two targets for nine yards in the Buccaneers' 20-12 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Analysis: On the heels of a two-touchdown performance Week 14, Brate's one-catch effort was significantly disappointing, especially in the heart of the fantasy postseason. The four-year veteran's middling production may not be truly representative of what he might be able to offer over the final pair of contests as the primary pass-catching tight end, however, as the combination of wet weather conditions and the Ravens' suffocating defense certainly did the passing game no favors Sunday. Brate will look…read more

Pair of scores in loss

Brate brought in two of four targets for 12 yards and two touchdowns in the Buccaneers' 28-14 loss to the Saints on Sunday.

Analysis: Brate maximized his only two grabs on the day, finding the end zone from 11 and one yard out in the first and second quarter, respectively. The veteran tight end hasn't seen much of an uptick in production since the placement of O.J. Howard (ankle/foot) on injured reserve, with one notable exception -- he's notched half of his six touchdowns on the season over the last three games. He'll look to keep it going Week 15 against a Ravens defense that's tied with multiple teams for fourth-most…read more

Solid as complementary option

Brate brought in three of six targets for 36 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-17 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: As expected, Brate played a relatively modest complementary role in the Buccaneers' passing attack, and he actually drew even with the starting receiver duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in targets. Brate should be in for a slight boost in his overall numbers over the season's remaining games while filling the role of primary pass-catching tight end, although his overall upside remains limited when all top four Tampa wideout options are healthy.

Succeeds in return to top role

Brate brought in three of four targets for 26 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 27-9 win over the 49ers on Sunday.

Analysis: Brate was back in the primary tight end role with O.J. Howard (ankle/foot) on injured reserve, and he celebrated his return with a 6-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter in the back of the end zone. The score served as Brate's fourth of the season and first since Week 6. While the fact he didn't really see an appreciable bump in targets in Howard's absence was somewhat of a disappointment, Brate has the track record to lend credence to the notion he could provide solid production down…read more

Poised for bigger role sans Howard

Brate is expected to step in as the Buccaneers' No. 1 tight end in Sunday's game against the 49ers after O.J. Howard (ankle/foot) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: After combining for 1,251 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns the previous two seasons, Brate took on a more muted role in the Tampa Bay passing game through the first 10 games of 2018 in the midst of Howard's breakout campaign. With Howard now finishing the season on IR for the second time in as many years, the door has reopened for Brate to serve as a safety valve for Jameis Winston, who is set to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick as the Bucs' Week 12 starting quarterback. With Tampa Bay still boasting…read more

Pair of grabs in defeat

Brate brought in two of three targets for 16 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-35 loss to the Giants on Sunday.

Analysis: Brate saw a trio of targets for the third consecutive game, and although his yardage totals haven't topped Sunday's 16 since Week 7, there may be reason to suspect Brate might be needed more often on offense soon. Fellow tight end O.J. Howard, who's clearly usurped Brate as the team's primary pass-catching option at the position, suffered an ankle injury during the second half of Sunday's loss. If Howard were to miss any time moving forward, Brate could certainly be in position for a…read more

Modest role continues in loss

Brate brought in one of three targets for 14 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-3 loss to the Redskins on Sunday.

Analysis: Brate continues to play a clear secondary role in the Buccaneers' air attack, as he's now seen three targets or less in three consecutive games, and no more than four in any contest. The 27-year-old has also topped out at 34 receiving yards, rendering him a fantasy afterthought as long as O.J. Howard remains healthy.

Three catches in Week 9 loss

Brate brought in all three of his targets for 15 yards in the Buccaneers' 42-28 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: Modest as it was, Brate's reception total matched a season high. The 27-year-old tight end continues to primarily be deployed as an in-line blocker while position mate O.J. Howard handles the bulk of downfield work. That naturally continues to limit Brate's fantasy upside, making him a consideration in only the deepest of formats at the moment. Brate will hope to up his production in Week 10 against the Redskins.

Minimal involvement continues in loss

Brate brought in one of two targets for 13 yards in the Buccaneers' 37-34 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.

Analysis: Brate had equaled a season high with four targets in the Week 7 overtime win against the Browns, but his role was reduced once again Week 8. With the Bucs just one game shy of the halfway point of their season, it now appears safe to say that Brate is a clear second fiddle in the passing game to position mate O.J. Howard. That's equated to averages of just 1.6 receptions (on 2.4 targets) and 16.3 yards per game for Brate, although he has crossed the goal line on three occasions. Absent an…read more

Slight bump in usage during OT win

Brate brought in three of four targets for 23 yards in the Buccaneers' 26-23 OT win over the Browns on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.

Analysis: Modest as his final line was, both the receptions and targets tied season highs. Brate did see his three-game touchdown streak come to an end, and he committed his first turnover of the season when he was stripped of the ball after a short reception at the Bucs' 27-yard line -- a miscue that ultimately resulted in a 15-yard David Njoku touchdown. Six games into the season, it's clear that Brate has settled into a decidedly complementary role behind O.J. Howard, although he remains a viable…read more

Makes sole catch count in loss

Brate brought in his only target for a 15-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers' 34-29 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Analysis: O.J. Howard was ultimately declared active for the contest after coming in questionable with a knee injury, so Brate was expected to serve in a secondary role. However, it appeared he might make a bigger impact early on, when he started the scoring on the afternoon with a 15-yard scoring reception to cap off an eight-play, 75-yard opening drive. That would ultimately prove to be it for Brate, though, as he didn't see another target the rest of the day despite the fact that Jameis Winston put…read more

Expected to return to backup role

Brate will likely resume No. 2 tight end duties Sunday in Atlanta with O.J. Howard (knee) expected to return from a one-game absence, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: After Howard exited early in the Week 4 blowout loss to the Bears with an MCL sprain, Brate stepped in to handle most of the snaps at tight end, finishing the day with three receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown. The Buccaneers benefited from a bye in Week 5, which appears to have given Howard sufficient time to recover from the injury. Though he's listed as questionable on the team's official injury report, Howard increased optimism about his availability by practicing fully Friday. Howard…read more

Likely to start Week 6

Brate is expected to serve as the Buccaneers' lead tight end for at least the Week 6 game against the Falcons while O.J. Howard (knee) is sidelined, Marc Sessler of NFL.com reports.

Analysis: Howard sustained a sprained MCL in Sunday's 48-10 loss to the Bears, with the team projecting their top tight end to miss 2-to-4 weeks with the injury. The timing of Howard's setback is rather fortunate for the Buccaneers, who are on bye Week 5 and could be without his services for as little as one game. With six catches for 63 yards and two scores through four games this season, Brate had already been managing a small role in the Bucs' potent passing attack. He should see a couple extra looks…read more

Finds end zone in Week 4 loss

Brate brought in three of four targets for 29 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 48-10 loss to the Bears on Sunday.

Analysis: Brate has now scored in consecutive games after only being targeted twice and going catchless over the first pair of contests. The fifth-year tight end could see a significant bump in snaps if the knee injury suffered by O.J. Howard on Sunday causes him to miss any time, but otherwise his fantasy value as compared to the past two seasons appears to have taken a hit due to the latter's emergence in the early portion of the campaign.

Breaks through in Week 3 loss

Brate brought in three of four targets for 34 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 30-27 loss to the Steelers on Monday night.

Analysis: Brate was able to finally get on the stat sheet in Week 3, after not having been targeted at all in Week 2 against the Eagles and failing to come up with either pass thrown in his direction in the opener against the Saints. The fourth-year pro's first catch of the season turned out to be a touchdown, as he hauled in a four-yard scoring dart from Ryan Fitzpatrick to give Tampa an early lead. Fellow tight end O.J. Howard did double Brate up on targets, however, and it appears the former will…read more

Not targeted Week 2

Brate was not targeted in Sunday's 27-21 win over the Eagles.

Analysis: It's been an utterly forgettable start to the season for the talented tight end, who was expected to split more pass-catching work with O.J. Howard this season, but certainly not to the tune of a two-game blanking to open the campaign. It's too early to be overly concerned -- particularly given Brate's impressive career body of work -- but the fact Brate played just 14 snaps to Howard's 46 on Sunday certainly bears mentioning. Brate will look to get on the stat sheet for the first time this…read more

Held without catch in opener

Brate failed to come up with either of his two targets in the Buccaneers' 48-40 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Analysis: Meanwhile, fellow tight end O.J. Howard was targeted on a pair of occasions as well, but he emerged from the contest with a pair of catches to show for it. Tellingly, Brate also logged just 24 snaps on offense compared to Howard's 43, certainly something to continue monitoring to see if it becomes an enduring trend. For the time being, it's likely safe to assume that Brate's lackluster afternoon was due to a combination of game-specific factors, including the fact that the Bucs' starting wide…read more

Not targeted in loss

Brate didn't draw any targets in Friday's preseason game against the Lions.

Analysis: After catching seven of eight targets for 76 yards through two preseason games, Brate was held off the stat sheet while logging just 13 snaps Friday night. Meanwhile, O.J. Howard got the start and caught both of his targets for 22 yards while playing 27 snaps on offense. The workload split between the two tight ends will need to be monitored into the regular season, starting with a Week 1 road game against the Saints.

Stands out in exhibition opener

Brate brought in all five of his targets for 48 yards in the Buccaneers' 26-24 preseason win over the Dolphins on Thursday.

Analysis: Brate paced Tampa in receptions on the night, and he came just five yards shy of leading the team in receiving yards as well. It was an excellent start to the preseason for the fourth-year tight end, whom the Bucs locked up with a six-year, $41 million contract this offseason. Brate will once again split time with 2017 first-round pick O.J. Howard in the coming season, but the level of rapport he enjoys with both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston should still afford him plenty of targets in…read more

Brate is slated to catch passes from backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for the first three games of the 2018 regular season in the wake of Jameis Winston's expected suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The development many not exactly bode well for the tight end's fantasy prospects if his body of work with Fitzpatrick under center last season is any indication. Brate did have one of his best days of 2017 during the veteran quarterback's first taste of extended action in Week 6, hauling in six of eight targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. However, he caught only one pass in each of Fitzpatrick's three starts in Weeks 10-12, while fellow tight end O.J. Howard posted six receptions (on eight…read more

Agrees to six-year deal

The Buccaneers and Brate agreed to a six-year, $41 million contract Monday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Set to be a restricted free agent Wednesday, Brate avoided a tender and instead was granted a long-term commitment from the organization that took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He's been a nice safety net for Jameis Winston the past two seasons, accruing 14 touchdowns and averaging 7.9 yards per target among his 105 receptions (on 158 targets). Brate's contract follows Mike Evans' huge extension last week, but the tight end may continue to yield snaps to 2017 first-round…read more

Brate brought in three of five targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Saints.

Analysis: Brate finished an up-and-down 2017 campaign in relatively modest fashion, posting three receptions for the second straight week. The 26-year-old went through a forgettable six-game stretch during Weeks 9-14 in which he posted a modest seven receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He bounced back to bring in 10 of 14 targets for 99 yards in the final three contests of the season, as he clearly seemed to enjoy a better rapport with Jameis Winston than he did with backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. In…read more

Brate (hip, knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 17 tilt against the Saints, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Brate's status was fully expected after he wrapped up the week with full practice participation. The third-year pro will look to close out what has been an inconsistent season on a high note, and he should have an opportunity for a solid amount of targets with DeSean Jackson (ankle) inactive and fellow tight end O.J. Howard on injured reserve with an ankle injury of his own.

Returns to full practice

Brate (hip/knee) was a full practice participant Friday but nonetheless is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: After sitting out Wednesday and practicing on a limited basis Thursday, the tight end closed out his week with a full session. He should be fine for Sunday's game, looking to rebound from a 13-yard outing last week against the Panthers in the first game since O.J. Howard (ankle) was ruled out for the year. Brate should be a bit more involved this time around, but he'll facing a New Orlean defense that's given up an NFL-low 529 receiving yards to tight ends.

Brate (hip/knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Following Wednesday's DNP, Brate took a baby step toward active status in the season finale with an appearance Thursday. If he gains clearance before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, he should serve as the Buccaneers' No. 1 tight end with O.J. Howard (ankle) on injured reserve. However, Antony Auclair and Alan Cross are waiting in the wings in the event Brate sits out as well.

Brate (hip/knee) was held out of practice Wednesday.

Analysis: Brate appeared on the Week 16 injury report with the dual injuries, but ultimately gained clearance to play in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Panthers. Despite his main competition at tight end, O.J. Howard (ankle), having moved to injured reserve ahead of the contest, Brate didn't really see his involvement pick up, as he finished the game with three catches for 13 yards. Brate may have a similarly understated role if he's able to suit up in the Buccaneers' season finale against the Saints.

Brate (hip, knee) brought in three of four targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Panthers.

Analysis: Brate figured to be in for an expanded role with the passing game down both DeSean Jackson (ankle) and O.J. Howard (IR-ankle), but he turned in his sixth sub-20-yard effort in the last eight games. The Harvard product has endured a rough second half of the season, posting only 14 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns over the last eight contests. He'll look to finish 2017 off on a positive note against the Saints in Week 17.

Brate (hip, knee) is active for Sunday's Week 16 tilt against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Brate was expected to enjoy active status all along, and he'll find himself in a favorable position for plenty of work Sunday. With DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard both sidelined with ankle injuries -- the latter now on injured reserve -- Brate should slot in alongside starting receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin as one of Jameis Winston's primary targets, affording him the opportunity to return to some of his solid early-season production.

Brate (hip/knee) is expected to play Sunday against Carolina, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Brate was limited at Friday's practice and is listed as questionable on the official injury report. If he ends up playing, Brate will face a Carolina defense that's allowed the second fewest receptions (48) to tight ends this season, but he could get more targets with tight end O.J. Howard (ankle) placed on injured reserve. Fantasy owners will want to double check Brate's status before the 1 pm ET kickoff.

Questionable after limited practice

Brate (hip/knee) remained limited at Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Carolina, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com repots.

Analysis: Already bothered by his hip for the past few weeks, Brate injured his knee during Monday's 24-21 loss to the Falcons, but he ultimately returned to the game and finished with four catches for 49 yards on five targets. With O.J. Howard (ankle) on injured reserve, the Bucs might be inclined to take a more aggressive approach than is typical for a 4-10 team. If he ends up playing, Brate will face a Carolina defense that's allowed the second fewest receptions (48) to tight ends this season, but the…read more

Brate was listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report due to hip and knee injuries, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Brate has been plagued by the hip issue since Nov. 30, but it hasn't stopped him from playing the last three games. In this last outing, though, he was knocked out for a spell due to a knee concern but eventually made his way back onto the field. During this stretch, he recorded seven receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets, a workload that should increase after the Bucs placed rookie tight end O.J. Howard (ankle) on IR on Wednesday. Assuming Brate plays through the pain Sunday…read more

Brate is expected to serve as the Buccaneers' primary tight end over the team's final two games following O.J. Howard's (ankle) placement on injured reserve Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: Prior to his early departure with the injury in Monday's 24-21 loss to the Falcons, Howard had outpaced Brate in snaps in each of the Buccaneers' previous six contests. Though Brate still scored two touchdowns over that six-game span, his production otherwise fell off the map, as he provided only seven catches for 87 yards on 19 targets. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Brate's involvement picked up Monday (four catches for 49 yards) while Howard was limited to just 13 snaps, so it looks like the former…read more

Brate brought in four of five targets for 49 yards in Monday night's 24-21 loss to the Falcons.

Analysis: Brate exited the game midway through the first quarter due to a knee concern, but he was eventually able to return in the second half and played 29 snaps overall. The four catches were second on the team behind Mike Evans and Adam Humphries for the night and also marked Brate's best tally since Week 8 against the Panthers. With fellow tight end O.J. Howard dealing with an ankle injury and expected to be placed on injured reserve according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Brate should see…read more

Brate injured his knee and is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Falcons, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Brate was the victim on a play the Falcons were flagged for hitting a defenseless receiver. The Buccaneers still have O.J. Howard available, but Antony Auclair or Alan Cross could also get involved if Brate doesn't return.

Brate (hip) was a full practice participant Friday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Following a limited practice to start the week, Brate seemingly has answered any questions regarding his availability for Monday's game against the Falcons. His workload is the real issue, as he hasn't caught more than two passes in a game since October.

Brate was limited at Thursday's practice due to a hip issue, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Brate will have two more practices this week to return to full participation and enter the Monday night matchup with the Falcons without an injury designation. The tight end appeared revitalized by the return of Jameis Winston from a three-game absence due to a shoulder injury in the Week 13 loss to the Packers, as Brate hauled in two of six targets for 39 yards and two scores in the contest. However, he saw his performance drop in last Sunday's loss to the Lions, taking his lone target for 11…read more

Brate brought in his only target for 11 yards in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Lions.

Analysis: A week after re-emerging as an offensive factor with a pair of touchdown grabs, Brate was back to playing a minimal role. Meanwhile, rookie tight end O.J. Howard posted his third game in the last four with at least three receptions and 50 yards while also getting into the end zone. The recent trend in the target share and production of both players could be an indication of a changing of the guard to an extent, but given Brate's overall body of work, he's likely to still generate his fair share…read more

Brate (hip) brought in two of six targets for 39 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 26-20 overtime loss to the Packers.

Analysis: Brate awoke from a multi-week slumber in notable fashion, bringing in both of Jameis Winston's (shoulder) touchdown passes on the afternoon. The fourth-year tight end's trips to the end zone were his first since Week 6, and his 39 receiving yards, while modest, represented his best effort in that category since Week 8. Brate will look to continue his resurgence against the Lions in a Week 14 home tilt.

Brate (hip) is active for Sunday's Week 13 tilt against the Packers.

Analysis: The fourth-year tight end will hope to boost his numbers back up with the return of Jameis Winston (shoulder) after notching just one reception apiece in the last three games with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. However, while the quarterback change might help, rookie O.J. Howard's emergence may also continue eating into Brate's opportunities moving forward.

Brate (hip), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The 26-year-old first appeared on the injury report Thursday and was limited in the Buccaneers' final two practices of the week. Brate didn't see much involvement in the passing game while Ryan Fitzpatrick started at quarterback the past three contests for the injured Jameis Winston (shoulder), hauling in just three of eight targets for 28 yards over that span. Like Brate, Winston is also questionable for Sunday but expected to play, so the tight end should have a decent shot at improving his…read more

Brate (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Analysis: Brate's mid-week addition to the injury report is cause for some concern, though his ability to log limited practices Thursday and Friday suggests he's on the right side of the 'questionable' tag. His availability may not be confirmed until the Bucs release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Brate will be glad to see Jameis Winston back in the lineup after catching exactly one pass in four straight games, but it may not matter against a Green Bay…read more

Brate popped up on the Buccaneers' injury report Thursday due to a hip issue. He was listed as a limited participation in the team's practice session, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Analysis: Brate had managed an ankle injury in advance of the Buccaneers' Week 12 loss to the Falcons, but suited up for the contest and reeled in one of two targets on the day for six yards. Though he now has a new issue to worry about, his limited participation Thursday suggests it's nothing that will derail his effort to play Sunday in Green Bay. Rather than his health, Brate's biggest concern appears to be the gradually expanding role of rookie first-round pick O.J. Howard, who has outpaced the…read more

Brate brought in one of two targets for six yards in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Falcons.

Analysis: Brate and Ryan Fitzpatrick continue to mix like oil and water, as the fourth-year tight end has just one catch apiece in the latter's three starts. Dating back to Week 9 against the Saints -- the game in which Jameis Winston exited early with his shoulder injury -- Brate has a single reception in four straight contests. The Harvard product's target share has also progressively dwindled since Week 7, going from five all the way down to Sunday's two. It's difficult to envision this type of anemic…read more

Brate (ankle) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have a designation on the final injury report for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Analysis: Brate was limited at practice the previous two days, but there was never any report to suggest he was in danger of missing a game. His waning involvement in the Tampa passing attack sans Jameis Winston (shoulder) is the real concern, with Brate looking to end a streak of three straight games with exactly one catch for 12 yards or less.

Brate (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Brate apparently picked up an injury in Sunday's 30-20 win over the Dolphins, but his recent lack of production is a larger concern than the ankle. After notching five straight games with at least 60 yards in Weeks 4-8, Brate has been held to exactly one catch for 12 yards or less in three consecutive outings. While some form of rebound is likely, Brate may be stuck in a complementary role, playing without Jameis Winston (shoulder) while sharing targets and snaps with O.J. Howard.

Brate brought in one of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 30-20 win over the Dolphins.

Analysis: One of the better fantasy options at the tight end position over the first seven games, Brate has seen a significant drop-off over the last three contests. The 26-year-old has just three catches for 31 yards over that span, with his unexpected downturn coinciding with Jameis Winston's absence due to a shoulder injury. Brate also notably saw less playing time than rookie O.J. Howard (41 snaps to Howard's 46) against the Dolphins, but given his prior body of work, it would be difficult to…read more

Brate brought in just one of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Jets.

Analysis: Brate had brought in five targets from Ryan Fitzpatrick in previous games this season, but he was somewhat of the forgotten man Sunday. The talented tight end has actually endured a lackluster last two games, posting just two catches (on seven targets) for 19 yards during that stretch. However, Brate's past body of work and talent certainly give him ample opportunity to bounce back, which he'll try to accomplish in a Week 11 road tilt against the Dolphins.

Brate could see an increased target share against the Jets in Week 10 with receiver Mike Evans (suspension) out, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The fourth-year tight end's 48 targets already rank him third on the Buccaneers behind Evans and DeSean Jackson, so it stands to reason that he'll see a bump in looks with the former out of uniform. Moreover, Brate has shown some synergy with backup signal caller Ryan Fitzpatrick, who'll be behind center against the Jets on Sunday in the absence of Jameis Winston (shoulder). Fitzpatrick connected with Brate on all four of the passes he directed his way against the Cardinals in Week 6, including…read more