The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to wait for clarity on Bucky Irving’s return, but the picture remains incomplete as Week 12 approaches. His progress in practice last week suggested a potential breakthrough, yet the team has not fully committed to his availability. The mix of hope and uncertainty leaves the Buccaneers in a holding pattern.
How Close Is Bucky Irving to Returning?
Irving has missed six consecutive games while dealing with foot and shoulder injuries, with the shoulder being the greater concern. According to PFSN’s Joseph Grassano, the foot issue occurred in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and there was early hope he could return after the Week 9 bye. Instead, that timeline shifted as he remained sidelined through Week 11.
Last week marked Irving’s first on-field activity since the injury. He logged three limited practices, a meaningful sign even though it did not lead to his return against the Buffalo Bills.
Todd Bowles expressed cautious optimism on Friday, saying, “I feel very good about it. We’ll see next week. There’s a process they’ve got to go through but they’re out running around well and they’re moving well. So we’ll go through the process and make sure they’re 100 percent before they get out there.”
Bowles has emphasized that Irving must prove he can withstand a hit on his shoulder before receiving clearance. That evaluation is expected to occur this week, and the first formal update will arrive with Wednesday’s injury report.
Beyond his health, the Buccaneers must also consider Irving’s performance before the injury. Based on PFSN’s RB Impact metric, Irving posted a 61.4 impact score across four games in 2025. His grade in the system is listed as D minus, and he holds a season rank of 42. He totaled 71 rushing attempts for 237 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
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He did not record a rushing touchdown and was targeted 19 times in the passing game. His overall rank from 2013 to present is 602, underscoring how limited his early season sample was before the injury halted his progress.
These metrics highlight both his workload and the challenges he faced before being sidelined. They also help illustrate why the Buccaneers have been able to adjust in his absence, especially with Sean Tucker emerging as a strong contributor.
Tucker delivered 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Week 11, while Rachaad White produced 51 rushing yards on 10 carries.
If Irving cannot play in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams, the Buccaneers may continue leaning on the back who currently carries momentum. His return would reshape the depth chart, but until he clears every test, uncertainty remains part of the Buccaneers’ weekly equation.
