After a report surfaced saying Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving would not be back "anytime soon" because of an apparent off-the-field issue, a Buccaneers reporter has provided some clarity.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported that Irving was dealing with something other than an injury that was keeping him off the field and Florio went on to add that Irving wouldn't be back "anytime soon" as a result.
“I’m not so sure Bucky Irving is going to be back this weekend based upon something I heard when we were in Philadelphia,” Florio said.
"I’ll tell you off-air what I heard,” Florio told co-host Chris Simms. “I want to be careful. It just underscores the very real existence of inside information. 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.”
In the wake of that report, The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reported the following:
"Bucky Irving needed some extra support after becoming injured and being away from his team for the first time in his career, according to people close to the situation," Stroud wrote.
Stroud did not provide clarity on Irving's return timeline.
Irving has been out since Week 5 with shoulder and foot injuries.
He returned to practice last week and has continued practicing this week, but he has only turned in limited sessions.
Bucs legend Ronde Barber revealed earlier in the week that Irving would not suit up on Sunday, so we don't expect him back in Week 12.
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