Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has been sidelined since late September due to shoulder and foot injuries. However, he appears to be on track towards a return to game action in the near future, and Bucs head coach Todd Bowles provided a promising update on the back ahead of Tampa Bay’s Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Two months off the field. He got hurt. He didn’t handle it well because he got hurt for the first time. He had a full practice this week. He’ll definitely be trending up to playing next week. So we’re just preparing him for the Arizona game, which is what we’re getting him ready for and that’s what he’ll be ready for.”
Bucky Irving expected to return in Week 13 vs. Cardinals
So, it sounds like Irving will miss his seventh consecutive game this weekend, but should be good to return against the Cardinals in Week 13, barring any setbacks.
In the four games that he played in this season, Irving carried the ball 71 times for 237 yards. He also caught the ball 19 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns. As a rookie for Tampa Bay last year, he compiled over 1,500 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns, so you can understand why the Bucs are eager to get him back into the fold.
In Irving’s absence, Rachaad White has shouldered the load for the Bucs in the backfield. White has rushed for 376 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
After a strong start to the season that saw them win five out of their first six games, the Bucs have been struggling a bit as of late. They’re dropped two straight games and three out of their last four. But, they still hold the top spot in the NFC South, so their playoff hopes are still very much alive.
They certainly don’t want to drop three straight games though, as doing so could put those playoff hopes in jeopardy. So expect a motivated and somewhat desperate Bucs team to take the field in L.A. On Sunday night.