The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were decimated on Sunday Night Football by the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are likely the best team in the NFL right now and look unstoppable. The Buccaneers are still trying to get healthy with all of their injuries, but Baker Mayfield went down last week. While they await the final status on Mayfield, Buccaneers fans are finally getting some injury news they’ll be excited to hear.
What’s the Latest on Bucky Irving’s Status?
Bucky Irving has been out since he got injured in Week 4. The Buccaneers never placed him on injured reserve because they were unsure of how long his rehab would take. It ended up taking quite a long time, but last week felt like the first time that Irving might be able to go after logging some limited practices.
He has fully practiced this week and is on track to make his return. Irving is the 52nd-ranked running back in PFSN’s RB Impact score with a grade of 62.3. He played well in his first few weeks on the field, but his grade suffered due to his absence. With a few solid performances to end the season, Irving should see himself rise up the ranks.
The Buccaneers have been shorthanded for much of the season, but Irving’s absence hasn’t affected the offense too much. Sean Tucker and Rachaad White have carried the load while Irving was sidelined. Tucker has emerged as a weapon on the ground, and White has always offered a threat in the receiving game.
On Saturday, NFL insider Adam Schefter confirmed that Irving will play in Week 13. “Bucs RB Bucky Irving, listed as questionable for Sunday due to shoulder and ankle injuries, is expected to play vs. the Cardinals for the first time since Week 4, per source,” Schefter wrote on X. “Bucs don’t want to overdo it with Irving, but he will get his touches.”
Expecting Irving to be the same player that he was before his injury is unrealistic. With White and Tucker, Irving likely won’t be rushed into a heavy workload. Regardless, fantasy managers who drafted Irving to be one of their key contributors will be ecstatic to have Irving back as an option.
The Buccaneers need a win in Week 13. They have dropped three games in a row and hold a 0.5 game lead over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. They started hot at 5-1, but after facing some tough opponents shorthanded, they couldn’t quite hang. They have some easier games coming up with the Cardinals and Saints. These are perfect opportunities for Irving to get his feet under him ahead of the stretch run.
On the other hand, the Panthers are on the schedule twice in the last five games. These will decide the division. The Buccaneers can bury the Panthers by winning these games, while the Panthers can steal the division from Tampa Bay by taking those games.
For now, Buccaneers fans will be worried about taking down Arizona, hoping that Mayfield will be active and Irving will be showing the fans what they missed while he was out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Insights for Week 13
Team:Â The Buccaneers finish with six games, with four against teams with a losing record and two games against the 6-6 Panthers.
QB: Teddy Bridgewater has not started a game since Week 17 of the 2022 season, when he was with the Dolphins.
Offense:Â Tampa Bay recorded an OFFi score of 61.2 (D-) against the Rams in Week 12. The Buccaneers have received a D+ or worse in three of the last five games.
Defense:Â The Buccaneers have graded at a D level the last two weeks against the Bills and Rams. Tampa Bay gave up 44 points against Buffalo and 34 against Los Angeles in two losses.
Fantasy: Baker Mayfield gets hurt, and Chris Godwin returns: Emeka Egbuka has hit 60 receiving yards in just one of his past six games, and the situation around him is trending away from him.
