Irving rushed 26 times for 85 yards and brought in one of two targets for 13 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers on Saturday.
Irving proved capable of handling a true workhorse role, logging a new career high in rush attempts. As his final implies, the Panthers made the second-year back work hard for his yards, but Irving was able to move the chains on five occasions, certainly a critical stat in what turned out to be a narrow win. Irving finishes his injury-hampered regular season with 588 rushing yards at just 3.4 yards per carry, but he'll have a chance for better production in the wild-card round next weekend if the Saints can upend or tie the Falcons on Sunday.
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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: Eclipses 70-yard mark in loss
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Irving rushed 19 times for 71 yards and wasn't targeted in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.
Irving easily led the Buccaneers' ground attack in rush attempts and rushing yardage, but he had a long run of just 12 yards and didn't draw a single target for the first time all season. While Irving's rushing yardage tally did match his season high, he also saw Sean Tucker vulture another goal-line opportunity that the latter successfully converted into a touchdown. Irving will aim to exploit a vulnerable Dolphins run defense in a Week 17 road matchup next Sunday.
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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.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: May return next week
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Irving (shoulder/foot) won't play Sunday at the Rams, but Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Friday that the running back is trending toward a return Week 13 against Arizona, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
The Buccaneers have listed Irving as a limited participant in five straight practices, dating back to the beginning of last week. He'll miss another game, but he's reportedly making progress, and Bowles even acknowledged recent rumors by telling reporters that Irving "didn't handle it well" when he was unable to practice or play. The implication seems to be that everything is going better now, though Irving will miss at least one more game when the Bucs face the Rams on Sunday night. Sean Tucker figures to get most of the carries after his three-TD outing last Sunday at Buffalo, with Rachaad White also having a role and likely taking most of the passing-down snaps.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Limited again Thursday
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Irving (shoulder/foot) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Irving has been listed as limited on five consecutive injury reports as he draws closer to his first game action since Week 4, from which he emerged with a shoulder subluxation and a sprained left foot. When asked about Irving and WR Chris Godwin (fibula) on Thursday, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard told Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site that it'll be "unfair to immediately ask them to play 50 snaps," and the team "will figure out how much they can handle as it goes." Such comments would seem to imply Irving won't handle a full workload once he's cleared to play again, and Friday's injury report will reveal if he has a chance to return Sunday at the Rams. Sean Tucker and Rachaad White remain on hand to continue handling RB reps until Irving is healthy and back to normal.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Status remains uncertain
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Coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Irving's shoulder injury is what's keeping him sidelined, and he has to be able to take a hit before being cleared to return to game action, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
It sounds like Irving may be past the foot issue, though the team has continued to list both injuries on weekly practice reports. Bowles added that it's too soon to know if Irving will be able to play Week 11 against the Bills. Irving has missed the past five contests after being injured Week 4. As long as Irving remains sidelined, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker will continue to handle backfield duties for Tampa Bay.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Ruled out for Sunday
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Irving (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against New England, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
A Week 9 bye didn't seem to do him much good, with Irving still absent from practice and now missing a fifth straight game. Rachaad White figures to get another start and plenty of touches, backed up by Sean Tucker and Josh Williams.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Not in line to practice
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Irving (foot/shoulder) is not expected to participate in Wednesday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Irving evidently remains in the rehab phase of his recovery from foot and shoulder injuries that have kept him sidelined since Week 4 despite the fact that the Buccaneers are coming off a bye. If he's unable to gain clearance for Sunday's home matchup against the Patriots, Tampa Bay will proceed with a familiar backfield deployment that features Rachaad White and Sean Tucker as its lead options. Chris Godwin (lower leg) is also expected to miss Wednesday's practice.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Remains sidelined at practice
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Irving (foot/shoulder) is not participating in the early portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Buccaneers are holding a walkthrough practice Wednesday, but it doesn't appear Irving is yet ready to resume handling on-field reps. He's missed three consecutive games due to lingering foot and shoulder injuries and has been held out of practice throughout that span. If Irving can get back on the field as at least a limited participant ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Saints he could have a chance at returning to action, but it's worth noting that Tampa Bay will benefit from a Week 9 bye, meaning the team could be motivated to allow the second-year running back to rest further.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Won't play vs. Detroit
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Irving (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The announcement doesn't come as much of a surprise, given that Irving has been held out of practice while working through foot and shoulder injuries. In his absence, Rachaad White will continue to operate as the Bucs' lead option out of the backfield while Sean Tucker serves in a reserve role. Irving's next opportunity to play is Week 8 against the Saints on Sunday, Oct. 26.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Officially ruled out for Week 5
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Coach Todd Bowles officially ruled out Irving (foot/shoulder) for Sunday's game at Seattle, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Irving emerged from a Week 4 loss to the Eagles with a sprained right foot that forced him to don a walking boot and also crutches as a spectator at Wednesday's practice. Earlier Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported that Irving was unlikely to play Week 5, which now has been confirmed. The Buccaneers thus will roll with the combination of Rachaad White and Sean Tucker out of the backfield this weekend and perhaps beyond that point.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: On track to sit out Week 5
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Irving (foot/shoulder) is expected to sit out Sunday's game against the Seahawks and is also in danger of missing the Buccaneers' Week 6 contest versus the 49ers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
On Wednesday, head coach Todd Bowles labeled Irving as day-to-day, even though the second-year back emerged from Week 4 action with a left foot sprain that confined him to a walking boot and required the aid of crutches to move about. Irving -- who is also nursing a more minor shoulder injury -- didn't practice in any fashion Wednesday or Thursday, and unless he's able to fit in some on-field work Friday, he'll likely be officially ruled out for Sunday's contest heading into the weekend. Rachaad White is likely poised to step in as the Buccaneers' lead back in Irving's absence, though Sean Tucker is also projected to see added work on the ground.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Dealing with sprained foot
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Irving is dealing with a foot sprain that is not considered a long-term injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
That said, Schefter notes that Irving -- who was spotted at Wednesday's walk-through on crutches and in a walking boot -- is viewed as week-to-week ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks. If he's unable to play this weekend, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker would be in line to see expanded opportunities in the Buccaneers' Week 5 backfield.
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Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Status up in air for Week 5
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The Buccaneers are still gathering medical opinions on an apparent ankle and/or foot injury to Irving, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
The running back suffered a lower-leg injury in the team's 31-25 loss to the Eagles in Week 4, and he underwent an MRI on Monday. Irving hasn't been ruled out yet for Week 5, but he's still sore and his status is up in the air for the team's matchup with Seattle on Sunday. The Buccaneers will return to practice Wednesday, and the first injury report of the week will shed some light on where Irving is at physically.
