Buccaneers Get Promising Injury News on Bucky Irving Ahead of Week 12

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may finally be inching closer to getting star running back Bucky Irving back on the field after a lengthy six-game absence. 

Irving, who has been dealing with both foot and shoulder injuries, returned to practice for the first time last week. 

He logged three limited sessions before being ruled out against the Bills.

As The Sporting News noted, head coach Todd Bowles expressed cautious optimism about Irving’s progress: 

“I feel very good about it… He’s out running around well and they’re moving well. We’ll go through the process and make sure he’s 100 percent before he gets out there.”

Bowles didn’t guarantee Irving would be available in Week 12, but his tone combined with Irving’s return to practice has finally given Tampa Bay some real optimism that a return may be this week.

---

What Irving’s Return Means for Tampa Bay’s Offense

Irving has now missed six straight games since suffering foot and shoulder injuries in Week 4 against the Eagles.

The foot issue initially drew concern, but the shoulder has become the primary obstacle. 

Bowles has repeatedly noted that Irving must prove he can absorb contact before being fully cleared. 

“There’s a process they’ve got to go through… We’ll see next week.” 

Tampa Bay will test his shoulder this week, and Wednesday’s injury report will provide the next concrete update.  

Before the injury, Irving logged 71 carries for only 237 yards (3.3 YPC). 

However his real impact comes in the passing game as he caught all 19 of his targets for 193 yards and two touchdowns. 

In 2024, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the ground for 1,122 rushing yards. Expect Irving to get back to those numbers soon. 

If Irving returns, his presence gives the Buccaneers a versatile, change-of-pace option and another receiving threat out of the backfield. 

Compared to the first six games of the season where Tampa Bay’s offense was among the top of the league, they have struggled recently and injuries have been a huge part of it. 

Irving’s potential return could ignite this offense and get them back to their early-season form. 

---

How Irving’s Status Impacts Rachaad White and Sean Tucker

Irving’s potential return also comes at a time when Tampa Bay’s backfield dynamic is shifting. 

When Irving was out, Rachaad White has mostly had the starting role. 

However, Sean Tucker has surged in recent weeks, highlighted by a breakout performance in Week 11. 

Tucker delivered 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, plus 34 receiving yards and another score. 

His burst, vision, and decisiveness have brought a new element to Tampa Bay’s offense, and coaches have rewarded his great play with expanded opportunities. 

If Irving returns, Tampa Bay suddenly goes from thin at running back to having three capable contributors with distinct skill sets. 

Bowles hasn’t tipped how the rotation might look but Tucker’s momentum, White’s experience, and Irving’s versatility give the the Bucs a lot of options. 

Irving will definitely regain the starting role, but expect White and Tucker to still have some sort of role in this offense. 

In the four games Irving has played this season, he averaged just over 70% of snaps played. 

Only time will tell if those numbers will remain consistent once Irving returns or if we will see more of a split due to the production of the other RB’s. 

From a fantasy football standpoint, this is definitely a backfield to keep an eye on and one that can cause some frustration down the stretch and into the fantasy football playoffs.

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Buccaneers Get Promising Injury News on Bucky Irving Ahead of Week 12 appeared first on Heavy Sports.