Bucky Irving injury update gives hope for Buccaneers RB's Week 11 return

Contributing Writer

There is now at least some hope that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving can return from injury in Week 11.

According to The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, Irving is taking part in the team's walkthrough on Wednesday, which amounts to the first action we have seen from Irving at practice since he suffered his shoulder injury in Week 4.

"Possibly big Bucs news. RB Bucky Irving is participating in the walk thru practice," Stroud reported.

The Buccaneers will release their first injury report of the week on Wednesday, so we'll know how much participation Irving was able to get in then. Right now, it looks like he could be limited, which would be a step in the right direction.

Irving has also been listed with a toe issue, but the shoulder injury is what has been keeping him out for this long, head coach Todd Bowles revealed on Tuesday.

This is quite the turn of events for Irving, as the initial expectation was he wouldn't practice or play this week.

"Todd Bowles says it’s a shoulder injury that’s keeping Bucky Irving out. He has to be able to take a hit and it doesn’t look like they plan to test it this week," Stroud reported.

Of course, this does not guarantee that Irving will actually suit up. But, at the very least, it gives Irving a chance to return this week, but if not, next week seems plausible.

If Irving doesn't play, the Bucs will likely deploy a backfield split between Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, who have shared work almost evenly the last two weeks after White dominated touches before then.

Bucky Irving injury update gives hope for Buccaneers RB's Week 11 return

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