TL;DR
- Bucky Irving will return for the Buccaneers in Week 13 after a seven-game absence due to injuries.
- Irving also faced mental health challenges during his extended layoff from the team.
- His workload may be limited, similar to Chris Godwin's return, making him an uncertain fantasy option.
- Fantasy managers should consider benching Buccaneers running backs due to Irving's potential limited snaps.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is set to rejoin the field in Week 13 following a lengthy layoff.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles stated Monday that Irving is slated to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, marking his return after a seven-game layoff.
"He's going to practice all this week, and if he's well by Friday, he'll play on Sunday," Bowles said, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com.
Irving's absence stemmed from shoulder and foot injuries, but he also faced a mental health challenge due to his extended time away. As Bowles noted last week, Irving struggled with being away from the team.
“I was alright because I had the right people around me," Irving said on Wednesday, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday.
“I’m here. I’m ready to play football for my team," Irving added.
Bucky Irving's workload might be restricted.
Fantasy football managers who've waited for Irving's return are concerned he might not handle a significant workload in his initial game back, as he readjusts following a two-month layoff.
During a media session on Wednesday, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard indicated that this scenario might unfold, similar to wide receiver Chris Godwin's situation upon his return in Week 12.
"OC Josh Grizzard compared the potential workload for Bucky Irving in his return to action this Sunday with how the team handled Chis Godwin’s return last week," Smith reported.
Godwin's minimal playing time meant the experienced receiver was on the field for only 25 plays. He managed only two receptions for nine yards from those plays.
Bucky Irving fantasy advice
Irving averaged 49.5 snaps per contest in the four games he played in earlier this season, so 25 would amount to nearly half of his normal workload.
Even though that might suffice for solid fantasy production if Irving manages some significant runs and/or crosses the end zone a couple of times, it also renders him a highly uncertain fantasy option.
Given Rachaad White and Sean Tucker are also present in the same backfield, it may be prudent to bench all Buccaneers running backs this week, unless there's an update indicating Irving will handle a complete workload, which appears improbable for his return game.
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