Tampa Bay’s running back should head into Year 3 with a clean bill of health after offseason surgery.
During Bucky Irving’s extended absence from Weeks 5–12 last season due to ankle and shoulder injuries, head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged that his second-year running back was mentally having a hard time dealing with the situation. Now, we may know why. According to JoeBucsFan.com, Irving recently underwent shoulder surgery to address lingering issues. Per the report, offseason activities won’t be “significantly impacted” as he recovers.
Year 2 didn’t go as planned for Irving or fantasy managers. After a hot start that saw him lead the league in touches through the first four games, Irving got hurt and didn’t return until Week 13. He wasn’t the same player, as Tampa Bay limited his touches and pulled him near the goal line in favor of Sean Tucker. With a full offseason to rest and recover, the hope is that Irving can return to the form he showed as a rookie, rather than the beat-up player who finished last season with just 588 rushing yards (3.4 yards per carry), 277 receiving yards, and only four total touchdowns. His 13.9 fantasy points per game ranked RB17.
Author: Wolf Trelles-Heard (@DynastyFFWolf )
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was a ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving had high ...
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving returned to the lineup in Week 13, after not playing since Week 4.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up a Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Baker Mayfield, who entered the week questionable with a low-grade sprain in his non-throwing shoulder, suited up and finished with 194 passing yards and a touchdown. His top target on the day was Emeka Egbuka, who caught 4 of 8 targets for 42 yards. Chris Godwin led the team in receiving, turning his 3 receptions into 78 yards.
Buck Irving made his return to the lineup for the first time since Week 4 and didn’t disappoint. He logged 61 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding 2 receptions for 20 yards. It was an encouraging performance for fantasy managers, signaling that Irving is healthy and immediately productive.
Author: Jake Lewis (@Lewylewis)
Tampa Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has dealt with physical injuries this season and it took a toll on his mental health as well.
Bucky Irving has been out for six games with foot and shoulder injuries. In his absence the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have relied on Rachaad White and Sean Tucker to shoulder the load.
Irving not being able to contribute to the team because of the injuries put a lot of strain on him mentally as well, possibly lengthening his absence. Now it appears Irving is not only in a better place physically but mentally too.
Tucker and White will lead the backfield for at least one more week, with Irving expected back in week thirteen. Tucker shined in week eleven and could be the lead back again, White is a reliable pass catcher and pass blocker, Irving is likely to be the lead back once he returns.
Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)
Bucky Irving is rumoured not to be back any time soon, with information you would not find on the injury report.
Bucky Irving has not played since Week 4 due to a foot and shoulder injury, but reports have surfaced that he may miss more time with information that would not be reported on an injury report.
Fans and fantasy managers have been frustrated by the rising superstar missing time as many draft him highly or traded multiple assets to acquire Irving. In his absence, Sean Tucker and Rachaad White have split the backfield and both players appear to continuing those duties and both must be rostered in all formats until the Irving news is sorted out. Tucker finished as the RB2 in Week 11 with three touchdowns and 140 all purpose yards. White has also been a serviceable flex option averaging over 10ppg. The Buccaneers take on Arizona in Week 12 action.
Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)
Fantasy relevant players ruled out Sunday include Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Joe Burrow, Samaje Perine, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Dalton Kincaid, Jaxson Dart, Darius Slayton, C.J. Stroud, Brenton Strange, Marvin Harrison, Tory Horton, Isiah Pacheco, J.K. Dobbins, Rashod Bateman, Justice Hill, and Sam LaPorta.
Per Adam Schefter
Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was seen in a walking boot and may miss Week 5 and beyond.
The Buccaneers seem to be one step forward and one step back when it comes to injuries. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin swapping places on the injury report, star running back Bucky Irving was seen in a walking boot.
The obvious person to benefit will be backup Rachaad White who has experience as a starting running back. A not so obvious fantasy addition is Sean Tucker. Tucker was the RB1 overall last season in Week 6 versus the Saints with 34.2 fantasy points on 192 total yards and 2 touchdowns.
While Tucker is an alluring name, he has had less than 1% of the teams opportunity share thus far to White’s 26%. As a starter in 2023, White was the RB10 in fantasy points per game with 15.8 in 17 games played. White can immediately be plugged in to play while Tucker presents upside with no guarantee he’ll get significant action in Week 5. As this could be a multi-week absence for Irving, both White and Tucker are must roster players.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
