Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving continues to showcase his dual-threat capabilities as a significant asset in Josh Grizzard’s offensive scheme. Typically sharing backfield duties with Rachaad White, Irving not only contributes as a rusher but also provides support in the passing game to alleviate pressure on quarterback Baker Mayfield.
During the Week 3 clash against the New York Jets, Irving shouldered a considerable workload with 25 rushing attempts, achieving this plateau for only the second time in his career, albeit resulting in just 66 yards. This marked only the third instance in his professional journey where he reached 20 or more carries in a game. The question now arises: can Irving maintain such a demanding role in the long term?
Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard remains non-committal about establishing a fixed number of touches for Irving, stating, “I think each week is determined on how the game’s going. He knows if we need him to go 25 or if it’s 15 or might need to be 30, whatever it takes to get the win that week and then be able to adjust off of that moving forward potentially.”
In related news, Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin’s potential participation against the Philadelphia Eagles remains in question. After a promising start in practice, Godwin did not participate on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine. This development could indicate a strategic approach to managing his return, possibly aligning with the team’s cautious strategy for a valuable player like Godwin.
As the Buccaneers gear up for upcoming matches, their capacity to adapt strategically, whether by utilizing Irving as a bell cow or integrating key players like Godwin effectively, will be pivotal to their success. Such adaptability within the team both preserves player health and enhances game-day competitiveness.