These Week 12 must-starts could swing your fantasy matchup
USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Jacob Camenker discuss which players should be in your Week 12 fantasy lineup.
It’s said that a watched pot never boils. It’s starting to feel like the same is true of Bucky Irving’s return to the football field.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ star running back has been on the sidelines since Week 5 with foot and shoulder injuries. He has missed plenty of games since, despite not being placed on injured reserve.
After missing six games and seven weeks, Irving’s updates have begun to take a positive turn. The running back returned to practice ahead of Week 11 in a limited capacity before ultimately being ruled out.
Now he’s ramping up, meaning a return to play could be on the horizon.
Here’s the latest on Irving.
When will Bucky Irving return?
Irving could return in Week 12.
He continued to practice on Nov. 19, with head coach Todd Bowles saying the team would be ramping the running back up again.
“We’re going to up their reps this week and ramp them up and see where they are,” Bowles told reporters on Nov. 19, about Irving and Chris Godwin. “So we’ll get a good idea tomorrow and Friday on exactly where they are.”
It is indeed a welcome update for Irving, who returned to practice ahead of Week 11 for the first time since he suffered the injuries.
Bowles did express optimism on Nov. 10 about Irving’s eventual return, telling reporters, “Hopefully, we’ll see if he can take a hit.”
He also noted that Irving’s shoulder was presenting a greater problem than his foot at this stage of his recovery. The exact nature of the running back’s injuries is unclear, but Irving’s return is closer than it has been in a long time.
Buccaneers RB depth chart
Tucker leapfrogged White on the depth chart in recent weeks, breaking out with a massive performance in Week 11. He finished with 19 carries, 106 rushing yards, two catches, 34 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.
While Tampa eagerly awaits the return of its workhorse, Tucker’s breakout could help the Bucs limit Irving’s workload when he gets back.
