The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still awaiting the return of running back Bucky Irving, who has missed four straight games with foot and shoulder injuries heading into Week 10.
Bucky Irving Injury Update
Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin will remain sidelined for the Buccaneers’ Week 10 matchup against the New England Patriots.
The bye in Week 9 did not help Irving, and he is set to miss his fifth straight game. The second-year back has been out since Week 4 with foot and shoulder injuries sustained against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has not practiced since and was ruled out early in each of the past four weeks.
The Buccaneers have not placed Irving on injured reserve, signaling optimism for a short-term recovery. Keeping him on the active roster allows for a potential return at any time and suggests the team believes his injuries aren’t season-threatening.
Before going down, Irving had solidified himself as Tampa Bay’s lead back, tallying 430 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns across four games. His burst and versatility gave the Buccaneers a dynamic edge in the run and pass game.
In his absence, the Buccaneers have leaned on Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but the results have been inconsistent. White has handled the bulk of the carries, averaging just 3.3 yards per attempt over the past month. While he’s contributed as a receiver out of the backfield, his lack of explosive plays has limited Tampa Bay’s ability to sustain drives.
Tucker, meanwhile, has seen limited touches and struggled to find rhythm behind a banged-up offensive line. The former undrafted free agent has shown flashes but hasn’t matched Irving’s consistency or value in pass protection.
The impact of Irving’s absence is reflected in Tampa Bay’s PFSN Offense Impact Score, which sits at 71.4 and ranks 22nd in the league. That middling mark highlights how injuries to key contributors have dulled the unit’s explosiveness and overall efficiency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Insights for Week 10
Team: Tampa Bay is 4-1 in one-possession games
QB: Baker Mayfield’s QBi has dropped in the last two games, after posting a 66.2 (D) against the Lions and a 69.9 (D+) against the Saints.
Offense: Tampa Bay has scored six home touchdowns on offense, with four of them being at least 34 yards or longer.
Defense: The Buccaneers defense is on a roll with three straight DEFi grades of B- or better. This season, they are ranked 10th.
Fantasy: Baker Mayfield had arguably the worst game of his career before the bye, throwing for 152 scoreless yards, posting 4.08 fantasy points. Since signing with Tampa Bay in 2023, Mayfield has never gone consecutive games with zero touchdown passes. The Patriots employ a pass-funnel defense.