There was Bucky Irving news on the morning of November 29, as ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported a cautionary note about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star running back’s expected Week 13 return.
“While Bucky Irving could be on a pitch count, [the] Bucs need to win,” Fowler noted. Adding: “A hot-hand situation at RB [is] not out of question.”
Now, to be clear, this bit of information has a potential dual meaning. In one sense, Fowler is acknowledging that he could see Irving getting more carries if he gets hot.
At the same time, he’s reminding fans that Irving is likely to be on a “pitch count” as the Bucs face the Arizona Cardinals. And the “hot-hand” part goes both ways, too.
If backups Rachaad White and Sean Tucker get hot, perhaps Irving takes a backseat to them as he eases his way back into action.
Needless to say, the Buccaneers’ RB usage could be very difficult to predict in Week 13, and could depend on factors like performance and game script.
More Buccaneers News From Fowler Ahead of the Week 13 Matchup With the Cardinals
Along with the Bucky Irving update, Fowler dropped Bucs news on star wide receiver Chris Godwin and starting offensive guard Ben Bredeson.
“Chris Godwin’s snaps will uptick for a home game on grass,” Fowler informed. Continuing: “Guard Ben Bredeson (questionable, hamstring) [is] expected to play.”
Obviously, both of these notes are positive news for the Buccaneers, who have been plagued by injuries this season.
The return of Godwin was lackluster, to say the least, but perhaps he can build on that debut in Week 13.
The veteran wideout was on the field for 25 offensive snaps against the Los Angeles Rams. Over that span of usage, he was targeted 4 times, catching just 2 passes for 9 yards.
The pedestrian showing caused some concern about how impactful Godwin can still be coming off major injuries, as he gets closer and closer to age 30.
The Bucs have already begun their changing of the guards at wide receiver, with rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson emerging in 2025 and Jalen McMillan breaking out in 2024. But no one expected Godwin and Mike Evans to be totally unimpactful this season.
We’ll see if Godwin can change that down the stretch as he gets himself acclimated again.
Bucs Must Make Sure Bucky Irving’s Injury Return Is Not Short-Lived
Yes, the Buccaneers must defeat the 3-8 Cardinals in Week 13, but they should be able to do that with or without Irving getting his usual workload.
White and Tucker have done a quality job holding down the RB position in his absence, and both should be effective in this outing as well. That lessened need alters the expectations of Irving’s return, too.
Tampa Bay doesn’t necessarily need Irving to put the offense on his back this weekend. Above all else, they need to ensure that his injury return is not short-lived.
The Bucs may not need Irving against the Cardinals, but they will need him in bigger games down the stretch, and they’ll certainly need him in the playoffs — assuming they make it.
That must remain the priority in Week 13. Ease Irving back in. It’s much more important to have him healthy for the rest of the season, rather than one lone game against Arizona in late November.
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