While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggle to keep their heads above water down the final stretch of the regular season, it’s still not totally clear when they might have one of their best offensive weapons back on the field.
Buccaneers legend, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback and analyst Ronde Barber said on WFLA radio that running back Bucky Irving won’t play in a Week 12 Sunday Night Football game on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
It would be Irving’s seventh consecutive game he’s been sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Buccaneers have lost 3 straight games to drop to 6-4 overall but are still in first place in the NFC South Division.
“Bucky’s not going to be back on Sunday Night Football,” Barber said on “The Ronde Barber Show” on WFLA radio.
Irving’s absence has been sorely felt on the offense after he racked up over 1,500 total yards as a rookie, including over 1,000 rushing yards.
Barber’s revelation was deflating news after both Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin were limited participants in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Godwin has missed 8 games this season due to injury.
“OC Josh Grizzard says that Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin have been out a long time, so when they are cleared to play it would be unfair to immediately ask them to play 50 snaps,” Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith wrote on his official X account on November 20. “They will figure out how much they can handle as it goes.”
Buccaneers Found Answer in Irving’s Absence
The Buccaneers seemed to finally find an answer at running back in a 44-32 Week 11 road loss to the Buffalo Bills with backup Sean Tucker, who went off for 163 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns, including 1 rushing touchdown and 1 receiving touchdown.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tucker finally get the shot he deserves at being the featured back for a second consecutive game when the Buccaneers play the Rams, and with veteran running back Rachaad White serving as more of a decoy.
This is the second consecutive season in which Tucker has shined when given the opportunity to be the featured back. In 2024, he had 192 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns in a Week 6 win over the New Orleans Saints.
“OC Josh Grizzard says Sean Tucker’s workload has been going up each week as he continues to do well, and he expects that to continue,” Smith wrote on November 20.
“Sean Tucker should be someone’s starting RB next season,” Fantasy PTS host Brian Drake wrote on his official X account. “Restricted free agent this off season.”
“Sean Tucker has played three games where he’s been given more than 10 rushing attempts,” Pro Football PSI’s Miguel Chapeton wrote on his official X account. “In those three games he’s averaging 15/95/1.3. He’s also never been given 20+ carriers. Feed him.”
“If this was your first week ever watching football, you would conclude Sean Tucker is the best RB to ever walk the Earth,” Team Rankings’ Spencer Limbach wrote on his official X account during the game against the Bills.
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