The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a tough time in the injury department this season, and that will continue into Week 8. The Buccaneers have been without several starters for weeks and were hoping to get some of them back. One of those players is running back Bucky Irving, who has not played since Week 4.
He suffered a foot and shoulder injury during their Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles; at the time, the length of absence needed was unknown. It has certainly gone longer than most expected, and everyone cannot wait to see Irving back on the field.
Bucky Irving To Miss Week 8
Irving’s injuries will once again keep him out for another week. He will miss Tampa’s Week 8 game against the New Orleans Saints. It is tough for Irving to have two injuries at once, but all reports suggest he is attacking his rehab with hopes of getting back on the field soon. The next chance to see Irving could be in Week 10, with the Buccaneers on bye next week.
We haven’t seen Bucky Irving at Bucs practice in three weeks, but new photo posted on Instagram today shows him wearing something on his left forearm as you would a sling. Second photo from his Insta four days ago. pic.twitter.com/RCcvpKWrxC
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 22, 2025
While Irving has been unable to practice over the past few weeks, an Instagram photo was released showing a sling of some sort around his left forearm. Greg Auman reported the images, and the fact that Irving is still in a sling is not great news.
The hope is that the bye week will allow Irving to recover in full. While Rachaad White and Sean Tucker have held up well at running back, Irving’s explosive play has been missed.
Bucs Among League Worst in Rushing
Shockingly, Irving’s 71 rushing yards in Week 2 are the highest total for the Bucs in a game this season. They have not run the ball effectively, averaging only 99.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks in the bottom 10 in the NFL.
Much of their offensive production has come through the air, largely thanks to quarterback Baker Mayfield’s prowess. Like many great offenses, you need to have balance. If the Bucs cannot run the ball more effectively, that may expose their offense to issues later in the season. Currently, Tampa Bay ranks 18th in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, feeling White’s absence.
Irving cannot get back to the lineup soon enough, and everyone hopes his target date for return is Week 10 against the New England Patriots.
