The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to finally get running back Bucky Irving back for the Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Irving has not appeared in a game since Week 4 after dealing with a pair of injuries and what appears to have been a mental health issue as he recovered from shoulder and foot issues.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles went into a bit more detail about the latter issue Irving was going through.
"He's not going through much off the field. He got hurt, he didn't handle it well because he's been hurt for the first time," head coach Todd Bowles said. "He got a little practice this week and he'll definitely be trending up to playing next week."
According to reports, Irving appears to be set to get back on the field this week as the Bucs look to snap their three-game losing streak, something they might have to do without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is battling a shoulder injury.
Here's what we know about Irving's chances of playing in Week 13.
Will Bucky Irving return in Week 13?
TUESDAY UPDATE: Head coach Todd Bowles revealed that Irving will practice all week and as long as there are no setbacks, he's expected to play in Week 13.
"Todd Bowles said RB Bucky Irving is going to practice all week and if he's fine on Friday he will play on Sunday against the Cardinals," Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com reported.
END OF UPDATE
Yes, Irving is expected to make his way back to action on Sunday against the Cardinals, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving, who has not played since Week 4 vs. The Eagles due to shoulder and foot injuries, is expected to make his return next Sunday (versus) the Arizona Cardinals, per sources," Schefter reported.
As far as his apparent mental health issue, FOX Sports' Greg Auman reports that Irving is "in a good place" and is ready to get rolling.
Because of how unpredictable things have been with Irving's situation thus far, we would not write his return in pen just yet.
Instead, we'll continue to keep a close eye on the injury report this week to make sure he's progressing and trending in the right direction.
We won't be fully confident about Irving's status until he gets in a full practice and we see his name with no designation next to it come Friday, when the Bucs drop their final injury report of the week.
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