The Buccaneers have been without one of their most important players for much of the 2025 season. Just when his return seemed on the horizon, he appears to have been sidelined by an unspecified issue.
Bucky Irving was one of the stars of the 2024 rookie class, rushing for more than 1,100 yards and earning down-ballot Offensive Rookie of the Year votes for division-winning Tampa. Things haven’t gone quite to plan in his sophomore season: Irving has played in only four games, averaging a meager 3.3 yards per carry—more than two yards fewer than last year.
Injuries have been a consistent challenge for Irving this season. He’s not the only Buccaneers talent sidelined — Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have also faced setbacks. Still, the timetable for Irving’s return is unclear. He has participated in practice sessions over the past week, but recent reports suggest he could be dealing with something more serious than what the injury report indicates.
So, what’s the deal with Irving? And when could he return to the field? Here’s what we know.
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What happened to Bucky Irving?
Irving returned to practice last week after missing each of Tampa's last six games with shoulder and foot injuries. He was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday's practices, although head coach Todd Bowles said the Buccaneers plan on ramping up his workload.
On Friday, The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reported that Irving "needed some extra support after becoming injured and being away from his team for the first time in his career." Stroud's report comes two days after Ronde Barber claimed Irving would not play in Tampa's Week 12 fixture against the Rams. Bowles confirmed that Irving will miss the game, with Tampa hoping to have him back in Week 13.
Bucky Irving updates
Friday, Nov. 21: The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reported Irving needed some assistance amid his recent string of injuries and "being away from his team for the first time in his career." He has missed six games with shoulder and foot injuries.
Bowles confirmed that Irving will miss the Bucs' clash with the Rams, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The team is aiming to have him back for Tampa's Week 13 joust with the Cardinals.
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Thursday, Nov. 20: Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported that Irving is dealing with "something more" than his injury and won't be back on the field "anytime soon."
Florio didn't reveal the specifics of the issue Irving is dealing with, instead telling co-host Chris Simms he'll tell him "off-air" what he has heard.
“I want to be careful. It just underscores the very real existence of inside information," Florio said. "Because it’s something that probably shouldn’t be out. But I don’t think he’s going to be back anytime soon. It definitely is more information than what’s in the injury report.”
Wednesday, Nov. 19: Irving was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Speaking with reporters after Wednesday's session, Bowles said the plan is for Irving and Chris Godwin to ramp up their reps in the coming few days as they prepare for their official return to the field.
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“We’re going to up their reps this week and ramp them up and see where they are,” Bowles said. “So we’ll get a good idea tomorrow and Friday on exactly where they are.”
Despite Bowles' optimism, Ronde Barber claimed Irving wouldn't take part in Tampa's Week 12 match with the Rams on his podcast.
What did Mike Florio say about Bucky Irving?
During Thursday's installment of "Pro Football Talk Live", Florio revealed that Irving is experiencing "something more" than what the information on Tampa Bay's injury report indicates.
He also claimed that Irving won't be back on the field "anytime soon."
Florio opted against offering specifics on Irving's status, instead telling co-host Chris Simms that he would tell him "off-air" about Irving's struggles.
Genuinely so confused. I pray he is okay. Pic.twitter.com/1Xh5u5n5Jx
— Matthew Hewitt (@BucsTrackerNFL) November 20, 2025
“It's something that probably shouldn’t be out. But I don’t think he’s going to be back anytime soon. It definitely is more information than what’s in the injury report.”
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Is Bucky Irving injured?
Irving has missed six games with shoulder and foot injuries this season. He returned to practice ahead of the Bucs' Week 11 matchup with the Bills. Irving didn't play in that game. But he has remained a participant in practices in the lead-up to Tampa's Week 12 joust with Los Angeles.
He was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday's practice sessions, with Bowles telling reporters he planned to increase Irving's workload as he nears his return.