For the last 2 months, the official word from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about why star running back Bucky Irving has been out has boiled down to a shoulder injury.
According to multiple reports, it could be more than just a physical ailment keeping the 1,000-yard rusher out of the lineup for a seventh consecutive game in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams.
“I’m not so sure Bucky Irving is going to be back (against the Rams),” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said on Thursday, November 20. ” … It’s something that probably shouldn’t be out. But I don’t think he’s going to be back anytime soon. It’s definitely more information than what’s available in the injury report.”
Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud quote-tweeted a video clip of Florio talking about Irving and wrote Irving sought “mental health” help while he’s been away from the team since a Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Stroud later deleted the tweet and re-worded another tweet to take out the words “mental health” about Irving’s status.
“Bucky Irving needed some extra support after becoming injured and being away from his team for the first time in his career, according to people close to the situation,” Stroud wrote on his official X account on Friday, November 21.
NFL’s Approach to Mental Health Has Changed
It’s worth pointing out we’re only a generation removed from, if an NFL player might have gone to his team and told them he was struggling with his mental health issues, he would have been met with blank stares or, even worse, complete disdain.
Times have changed. The NFL, like all of the professional sports leagues, now puts a heavy emphasis on caring for the mental health of its players.
“I personally think this Bucky Irving stuff is getting blown out of proportion (likely because it’s new news to us, but not to the Bucs),” Dr. Jeff Mueller wrote on his official X account. “Good for Bucky for seeking help if that’s what happened. He’s practicing with the team again. Gut feeling he plays week 13.”
Irving has practiced with the team this week, but nothing in full pads and nothing that’s seemed to test his injured shoulder, which head coach Todd Bowles said was key to his return.
There were some who took exception to Florio even vaguely disclosing the issues with Irving.
“I don’t know what is going on with Bucky Irving but if it is mental health related, good on him for getting support,” Fantasy Football expert Andy Rosenberg wrote on X on November 21. “NBC Sports should suspend Mike Florio for grossly teasing this on-air on what should be a private matter. Rooting for you, Bucky!”
Buccaneers Desperate For Irving’s Return
The Buccaneers have struggled in Irving’s absence. Their record dropped to 6-4 with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 — their second consecutive loss — and 3 of their 4 losses have come since he left the lineup.
In Irving’s last game, a loss to the Eagles that came down to the final seconds, he had his best game of the season with 165 yards of total offense and 1 touchdown, including over 100 receiving yards.
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