Buccaneers' Todd Bowles Offers New Bucky Irving Upda...

By Rowan Fisher-ShottonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back situation clarified Friday when coach Todd Bowles confirmed that Bucky Irving, sidelined since late September with foot and shoulder injuries, is gearing up for his highly anticipated return.

Irving has not played since Week 4, but completed a full practice this week as the Bucs prepare for a primetime showdown against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

While it doesn't look like he'll be available against the Rams, Bowles confirmed that Irving is on pace to be available for Tampa's Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

"He got hurt. He didn't handle it well because he's been hurt for the first time. He got a full practice this week. He'll definitely be trending up and playing next week," Bowles told reporters.

"So we're just preparing him for the Arizona game, which is what we were getting him ready for. And that's what he'll be ready."

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The timelines around Irving's extended absence shifted as the NFL season progressed.

The Buccaneers elected not to place Irving on injured reserve after Week 4, signaling an expectation of a short absence.

However, that projection extended after the shoulder limitation lingered, and Irving required a cautious ramp‑up through limited practice sessions earlier in the month.

Recent reports added context beyond the purely medical, noting Irving received mental‑health support while coping with his first significant time away from the field, a factor team officials now acknowledge in how the recovery was managed.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving.

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Irving, a fourth‑round pick in 2024 (No. 125 overall), emerged as a key part of Tampa Bay’s offense as a rookie and entered 2025 as the team’s primary ball carrier and a frequent check‑down receiver from the backfield.

Through four games this season, he had 71 carries for 237 rushing yards (3.3 yards per carry) and added 193 receiving yards with two receiving touchdowns, showing the dual skill set that makes him difficult to replace when available.

After the Cardinals in Week 13, Tampa hosts back-to-back contests against the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, followed by road games at the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins, before the season finale at home against Carolina.

Sitting at 6-4 and only one game ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South, each remaining matchup is pivotal to the Bucs’ playoff picture.

Having Irving for that run could be the offensive lift this team desperately needs.

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