The latest Tampa Bay Buccaneers news could be a bad sign for the injury timeline of running back Bucky Irving.
Initially sidelined with a foot sprain that was only supposed to keep him out a week, an October 5 update from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that Irving is also dealing with a shoulder injury that is “more of an issue than his sprained foot, per sources.”
At the time, Schefter reported that Irving is expected to be sidelined for Week 6, along with Week 5 — which he has already missed. And now, on October 7, it was reported that the Buccaneers re-signed running back Owen Wright to the practice squad.
“With Bucky Irving dealing with multiple injuries, [the] Bucs brought back running back Owen Wright to their practice squad,” FOX Sports reporter Greg Auman relayed on X. “He was with them in preseason.”
Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud added that reserve offensive guard Sua Opeta was released from the practice squad to make room for Wright.
This transaction was also confirmed by Buccaneers team reporter Scott Smith on October 8.
Bucky Irving Appears Likely to Miss Week 6 With Shoulder & Foot Injuries, but How Long Will the Buccaneers Be Without Him?
Irving was not at practice on Wednesday, October 8, ahead of the Week 6 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Stroud confirmed this news on X, while also noting that star wide receiver Mike Evans was missing.
At this point, it feels like the dynamic halfback is a near-guarantee to miss Week 6, but concerns are beginning to mount for Week 7 against the Detroit Lions.
On the same day of Schefter’s report, Irving dropped a cryptic message on Instagram, and it didn’t exactly calm the nerves of fans.
“God gave his toughest battle to his toughest soldiers,” the message began. “Don’t cry for me when the war is over. I died on the cross yesterday. My eyes open to who is here for me as a football player, and who is here for me as Mar’Keise Bucky Irving…”
“These people in these pictures describe what pain looks like. I admire these people,” Irving continued. “We worry about the wrong things in I’ll come together as a community love one another and follow faith in Jesus name we all gotta come together. This is divine too many different ways. We were about the wrong things in life. We just need to come together and love one another thing is about family 10 times just like. Open and see who’s really there for me as a football player and who is there for me as a person that actually care for me and love me for who I am. Can’t hide no more I gotta open up. I’ve been in this shell for too long. GOD is real.”
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles also praised Rachaad White as a “lead back” after Week 5. As of October 8, all the tea leaves are pointing to Irving missing more time than expected.
More on Buccaneers Signing Owen Wright & Veteran Cut Sua Opeta
Wright entered the NFL in 2023, playing for Monmouth and William & Mary before that. He spent his first two seasons within the Baltimore Ravens’ organization.
Joining Tampa Bay in 2025, Wright appeared in all three preseason outings. He carried the ball 26 times for 100 rushing yards and 1 touchdown.
Wright also has some experience returning kickoffs.
Opeta is a 29-year-old guard who has spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s mostly been a backup guard or tackle at the NFL level, although he has started 10 games.
Opeta tore his ACL during his first summer with the Buccaneers and spent the 2024 season on the injured reserve. Tampa Bay gave him another opportunity to make the 53-man roster in 2025, but the veteran was released before eventually ending up on the practice squad. Now, he’s been cut again.
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