Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back Bucky Irving sustained multiple injuries during Week 13 and carried them into the Week 14 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. These injuries have impacted his performance, particularly on Sunday.
The absence of Irving would be a major blow to the Buccaneers, who are striving for a fourth consecutive NFC South title. As the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Irving has emerged as one of the standout players in the NFL this season.
In the latest update regarding his health, the Buccaneers classified Irving as doubtful to return due to a back injury prior to the fourth quarter of the game. He left the matchup early in the second quarter. Although it remains uncertain if he visited the medical tent, Irving has not returned to the field since exiting.
Before his departure, Irving had rushed four times for three yards and made one catch for 15 yards, with his last carry occurring with 14:24 left in the second quarter, while the Buccaneers were leading 14-0.
Despite the setbacks, Irving returned to practice on Friday on a limited basis and was officially deemed questionable for Week 14. He is dealing with hip and back injuries, with the latter being identified as a hip pointer by some sources.
As for his performance statistics, Irving has been a standout rookie, leading all newcomers in scrimmage yards with 1,017, rushing yards with 732, and sharing the top spot in rushing touchdowns with six. Notably, he ranks fourth among all NFL players in yards per touch at 6.1, only behind talented players such as Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry.
Should Irving miss additional time, the Buccaneers’ depth chart indicates they would rely on running back Rachaad White to take on the majority of the workload. Second-year player Sean Tucker, who previously demonstrated his potential with 135 rushing yards and a touchdown when White was unavailable, would support him.
In summary, while Bucky Irving’s injuries present a challenge for the Buccaneers as they seek to maintain their competitive edge in the NFC South, the depth in their roster provides a glimmer of hope. The team’s ability to adapt and utilize other talented players could keep their playoff aspirations alive.
The situation underscores the unpredictability of the NFL, where both challenges and opportunities are part of the journey, and it remains to be seen how effectively the Buccaneers can navigate this adversity.