Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back Bucky Irving faced multiple injuries during Week 13, which he carried into the following game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14. Unfortunately, these lingering concerns seem to have affected his performance on Sunday.
Irving’s potential absence would be a significant blow to the Buccaneers, who are vying for their fourth consecutive NFC South title. The rookie running back recently earned the title of NFC Offensive Player of the Week and has emerged as one of the standout players in the league for 2024.
Regarding his injury status, Bucky Irving was listed as doubtful to return due to a back injury before the fourth quarter. He exited the game early in the second quarter and it remains unclear whether he visited the medical tent, but he did not return to the field. His last carry occurred with 14:24 left in the second quarter, with the Buccaneers leading 14-0.
Irving had participated in a limited practice session on Friday and was listed as questionable for the game. He is struggling with injuries to both his hip and back, and reports have referred to one of the issues as a hip pointer.
In the brief time he played on Sunday, Irving rushed four times for three yards and caught one pass for 15 yards. He currently leads all rookies in scrimmage yards, totaling 1,017, and rushing yards with 732. Additionally, he is tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns among rookies with six and ranks fourth overall in the NFL with an impressive 6.1 yards per touch.
If Irving is unable to play in future games, the Buccaneers’ depth chart would shift, placing Rashad White as the primary ball carrier. He would be supported by second-year player Sean Tucker, who displayed his capabilities during Week 6 when he filled in for White, rushing for 135 yards and a touchdown, as well as contributing 56 receiving yards and another score.
As the Buccaneers navigate these injuries, there is hope that Irving can recover quickly, enabling him to return to the field and continue contributing to the team’s title aspirations. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have proven depth in their running back roster that could help them sustain their offensive efforts regardless of Irving’s status.