Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Career-best rushing yardage in win
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Irving rushed 21 times for 165 yards and a touchdown and brought in two of three targets for 10 yards and another score in the Buccaneers' 24-16 win over the Cowboys on Thursday.
The early portion of Irving's night offered no hint the third-year back would finish with a new career high in rushing yards, as he repeatedly scuffled for running room throughout most of the first half. However, he did put the Buccaneers' first points on the board with a five-yard touchdown catch on the second play of the second quarter, and he subsequently ripped off a nifty 72-yard scamper that saw him change direction several times within the first 10 yards on the first play of the second half. Irving would go on to cap off the next possession with a one-yard touchdown run, and he sealed Tampa Bay's victory with a 22-yard scamper on the final drive of the night that set up a pair of Jalon Daniels' kneel downs. Irving's carry total was also a season-high figure, and he's now averaging 5.3 yards per carry heading into a Week 6 home matchup against the Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 18.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Modest production with 16 carries
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Irving rushed 16 times for 61 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Irving was surprisingly held without a single target in the narrow loss, despite rookie quarterback Jaydon Daniels being under center and the third-year running back being a highly trustworthy safety valve out of the backfield. Irving worked hard for his yards on the ground as well, with his longest run of the day going for only seven yards. Irving has yet to eclipse 89 rushing yards in any of his first four games, and with reports Baker Mayfield may be in line for close to a two-month absence due to his thumb injury, the former may have to get accustomed to running against loaded defensive fronts for the foreseeable future.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Good to go for Sunday
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Irving (glute) was a full participant in Friday's practice and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Packers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
After opening the week with consecutive limited practices, Irving's upgrade Friday puts Tampa Bay's lead running back on track to handle his normal role in Week 4. His clean final status should allow Irving to function as the likely centerpiece of the Tampa Bay offense in rookie Jalon Daniels' first career start in place of an injured Baker Mayfield (thumb).
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: RBs to Start
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Irving had a rough game in Week 3 against Minnesota with 15 carries for 46 yards and two catches for 12 yards on four targets, and he scored a season-low 7.8 PPR points. I expect Irving to bounce back in Week 4 against Green Bay, and the Buccaneers should lean on Irving with Baker Mayfield (thumb) out. The Packers are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and five running backs have already scored at least 10 PPR points against Green Bay, with Jordan Mason, Aaron Jones, Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr., including six rushing touchdowns. Irving has top-10 upside in Week 4.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Dealing with glute injury
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Irving was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a glute injury.
Irving missed the final two drives of this past Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings, but coach Todd Bowles downplayed the running back's absence, stating that he won't be on the Buccaneers' Week 4 practice report, per Scott Smith of the team's official site. Instead, Irving has made an appearance on the report, and thus his status will be monitored as the week goes on to ensure that it won't impact his availability for Sunday's matchup with the Packers. Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker are the healthy RBs on Tampa Bay's active roster.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Feeling fine after late exit Sunday
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Head coach Todd Bowles said that Irving won't be included on the Buccaneers' Week 4 injury report, despite missing the final two possessions of Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Bowles didn't specify why Irving was off the field late in Sunday's contest, but any physical issue the running back might have been dealing with doesn't look like it will prevent him from playing Week 4. Despite logging a season-low 51 percent snap share, Irving still earned 17 touches (15 carries, two receptions) and accounted for 58 yards from scrimmage. He remains locked in as the clear No. 1 option out of the backfield over free-agent pickup Kenny Gainwell, who is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry and 3.7 yards per reception through three games.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Rackes up 17 touches in Week 3
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Irving notched 15 carries for 46 yards and two catches (on four targets) for 12 yards during Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings.
Irving now has earned at least 15 touches in each of the Buccaneers' first three games of the campaign., but his 58 yards from scrimmage represent a season low to date. In the wake of QB Baker Mayfield dislocating his right throwing thumb late in the contest, it stands to reason that Tampa Bay will rely more on its ground game with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels likely taking over under center next Sunday against the Packers and potentially beyond that point. In such a scenario, Irving could be poised for more volume, though his efficiency may take a hit due to facing more stacked boxes.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Efficient rushing day in loss
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Irving rushed 17 times for 89 yards and brought in all four of his targets for one yard in the Buccaneers' 23-19 loss to the Browns on Sunday.
For the second time in as many games to open the season, Irving put together a crisp performance on the ground, with Sunday's tally spearheaded by a 38-yard run. The third-year back was also regularly involved in the passing game, but he generated next to nothing with his four catches. The Buccaneers are alarmingly 0-2 heading into a Week 3 home matchup against the Vikings next Sunday, but Irving's role as Tampa Bay's workhorse back is unquestioned approaching that critical early-season clash.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Offsets fumble with TD
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Irving rushed eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown and brought in all seven targets for 48 yards in the Buccaneers' 27-23 loss to the Bengals on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
With the Buccaneers already down by a 24-10 margin at halftime, Irving was deployed as as receiver almost as frequently as he was a ball carrier. Irving was efficient in either capacity, and he paid his first visit to the end zone of the season on a 10-yard scoring run late in the first half. Irving also finished as the team leader in rushing yards, receptions and targets, but his first-quarter fumble on his own 33-yard line after a seven-yard catch did lead to a Bengals touchdown. Irving should have a golden opportunity for a much more robust workload on the ground in Week 2, however, as the Browns pay a visit to Tampa Bay next Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: RBs to Start
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Sean Tucker (undisclosed) could be out for Week 1 at Cincinnati, which is a plus for Irving and Gainwell. I would start Irving as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues, and Gainwell is a flex in PPR. This game has the highest projected total of the week at 50.5 points, and we'll see if the offseason additions of Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen fixed the Bengals' run defense. Irving got off to a great start last season with at least 13.9 PPR points in each of his first four games and hopefully, he can do that again in 2026. Gainwell should be a reliable weapon in the passing game, and he could be needed if this game becomes a shootout. Cincinnati was No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs in 2025, and Irving and Gainwell should both be productive in this matchup.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Making impression on new OC
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Irving has impressed new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson throughout training camp, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Irving is coming off of an injury-riddled sophomore campaign in 2025, being limited to just 10 regular-season contests. The running back compiled 588 rushing yards and one touchdown over 173 carries, which was rather disappointing after he registered 1,122 yards and eight scores on 207 rushes in 2024. He was also able to secure 30 catches for 277 yards last year, including the first three receiving scores of his career. Robinson has been impressed by Irving's ability to stay connected to the ground, allowing him to leave defenders in his dust. "He's always able to change direction and that keeps him so balanced to be able to break tackles," said Robinson. The OC spent the last two seasons calling plays for Atlanta's superstar running back Bijan Robinson, and Irving will look to elevate his performance within that system.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Full-go for training camp
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Irving (shoulder) is a "full-go" for training camp and looked good at practice, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Irving won't require a ramp-up period to begin camp, per Bowles, which is highly encouraging after offseason shoulder surgery limited the 2024 fourth-round pick during spring activities. After injuries forced Irving to miss Weeks 5-12 last season and hampered him after his return, the third-year pro is now looking to reestablish himself as the clear top option in a Tampa Bay backfield that also includes Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Team adds Gainwell to backfield
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Irving could face increased competition for touches, as NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports Monday that Kenneth Gainwell is signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers.
Irving missed seven games due to foot and shoulder injuries in 2025, and he ceded touches to Sean Tucker and Rachaad White after returning. While Irving ultimately led the Buccaneers with 173 rushing attempts, he scored only one rushing touchdown compared to White's four on 132 carries and Tucker's seven on 86 carries. White and Tucker are both free agents, but the addition of Gainwell suggests Irving could be ticketed for less of a workhorse role in 2026, as Gainwell racked up 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns on 114 carries and 85 targets in the 2025 regular season with the Steelers.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: RBs to Sit
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It's been a rough three-game stretch for Irving heading into Week 18 with 8.3 PPR points or less in each outing against Atlanta, Carolina and Miami. He hasn't scored a touchdown in three games in a row while losing goal-line work to Sean Tucker, and Irving didn't have a target in the first game against the Panthers in Week 16. He had 19 carries for 71 yards in that matchup, and Carolina should be able to contain Irving again in the rematch. I would only use Irving as a flex option in the majority of leagues.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Garners 81 total yards, TD in loss
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Irving rushed 15 times for 55 yards and brought in two of three targets for 26 yards a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 24-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Irving had elevated expectations heading into the divisional matchup given some of the Saints' troubles defending the run this season, but New Orleans did a reasonably effective job while limiting him to a stingy 23 yards on the 14 carries he logged outside of his game-long 32-yard run. Irving did record his third receiving touchdown of the season on a 24-yard catch and run in the first quarter, helping to salvage his fantasy day. Irving's opportunities on the ground were somewhat capped due to a surprising game script that saw Tampa Bay trailing through more than half of the fourth quarter, but he'll have a good chance to bounce back in a Week 15 home matchup against a vulnerable Falcons run defense on Thursday night.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Deemed questionable, should play
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Irving (shoulder/foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Arizona, with the expectation that he'll return to action after logging full practices all week, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Irving won't necessarily return to his pre-injury role but should at least be back in the mix as a significant part of Tampa Bay's offense. His impressive fantasy production late last season and into this September makes him a viable lineup option in nearly any format despite workload uncertainty in the first game back from a two-month absence. Sean Tucker supplanted Rachaad White as the lead back during that time, potentially setting up a three-headed backfield now that Irving is expected to be active ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Logs full walkthrough
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Irving (shoulder/foot) was a full participant at Wednesday's walkthrough.
After being listed as limited on the Buccaneers' five previous injury reports, Irving finally was able to log an uncapped session to begin Week 13 prep, seemingly putting him on a path for his first game action since Week 4. He missed the last eight seven games due to a subluxation in his shoulder and a sprained left foot, so he may not take on his normal role as Tampa Bay's lead runner Sunday against the Cardinals. In such a scenario, fellow RBs Sean Tucker and Rachaad White would be available for any snaps and touches that don't go to Irving.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Logs full walkthrough
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Irving (shoulder/foot) was a full participant at Wednesday's walkthrough.
After being listed as limited on the Buccaneers' five previous injury reports, Irving finally was able to log an uncapped session to begin Week 13 prep, seemingly putting him on a path for his first game action since Week 4. He missed the last eight seven games due to a subluxation in his shoulder and a sprained left foot, so he may not take on his normal role as Tampa Bay's lead runner Sunday against the Cardinals. In such a scenario, fellow RBs Sean Tucker and Rachaad White would be available for any snaps and touches that don't go to Irving.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Will practice all week
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Irving (shoulder/foot) will practice all week and be cleared to suit up Sunday versus the Cardinals if he avoids any setbacks, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Irving has been listed as a limited participant in five consecutive practices, and it sounds like even if he isn't able to upgrade to full this week, he'll be poised to return to action as long as he holds up well. The health of quarterback Baker Mayfield (left shoulder), who is feared to have suffered an AC joint sprain during Tampa Bay's loss to the Rams in Week 12, is another significant variable looming over the Buccaneers offense. While clarity on Irving's status may not arrive until Friday, Mayfield is undergoing an MRI on Monday, the results of which should be disclosed before long.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Poised to return in Week 13
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Irving (shoulder/foot), who has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, is expected to return to action Week 13 versus Arizona, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Schefter notes that Irving "looked strong" in practice this week and may have been able to play Sunday, but the Buccaneers ultimately elected to hold him out. Assuming Irving continues to make positive progress in practice during the upcoming week, he should be on track to return to action against the Cardinals and bring an end to an absence that will have spanned seven games. Irving had been Tampa Bay's clear lead back before getting hurt, and he totaled 165 yards from scrimmage (102 receiving, 63 rushing) in the final game prior to his absence. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker have been serviceable in Irving's absence, but Irving should eventually regain the lead-back role once he's closer to 100 percent. However, he could be eased in a bit in his first game back.
