Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving potentially could return in Week 13 following a seven game absence.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Irving is expected to return to action on Nov. 30 against the Arizona Cardinals. Schefter added the running back “looked strong at practice this week.”
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles had previously ruled out Irving for Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams due to shoulder and foot injuries, but noted a return the week after was possible.
Irving last played against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, and Week 12 will mark his seventh missed game in a row.
A 2024 fourth-round pick out of Oregon, Irving was a revelation during his rookie season.
Although he began the season as the clear backup to Rachaad White, Irving eventually earned the majority of the workload and finished with 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground to go along with 47 receptions for 392 yards.
As the starter, Irving was widely expected to take a huge leap forward in 2025, but injuries have prevented him from doing so.
Irving also got off to a slow start as a runner this season, rushing for 237 yards and no touchdowns, and averaging just 3.3 yards per carry through four games, but he did plenty of damage as a pass-catcher with 19 grabs for 193 yards and two scores.
During Irving’s absence, White has made six starts, and while he has 520 yards and four touchdowns on the season, he has been somewhat plodding in averaging 3.9 yards per rush.
Sean Tucker, a third-year man out of Syracuse, took control of the backfield last week against the Buffalo Bills, rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns, and catching two passes for 34 yards and another touchdown.
Given that performance, it is perhaps safe to assume that Tucker will be the Bucs’ lead back Sunday against the Rams and until Irving returns.
Irving’s re-entry into the lineup can’t come soon enough for a Buccaneers team that is reeling to the tune of three losses in their last four games to fall to 6-4.
Tampa has only a half-game lead over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, and given that the Bucs are going on the road to face the 8-2 Rams this weekend, that lead could potentially evaporate.
The Buccaneers are starting to get healthier, though, with Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin potentially on the verge of returning, which could bode well for their chances of going on a run down the stretch.
