Bucky Irving’s name is once again creating a stir in fantasy football circles as the Buccaneers inch closer to Week 13. After missing significant time, his potential return has managers buzzing with cautious optimism.
The team is easing him back, but all eyes are on how he’ll look once he’s cleared. Something held him back for months, and everyone’s wondering if he’s truly past it.
Bucky Irving Injury Update
Irving has been gradually building up to a return to the field after recovering from a shoulder injury. Head coach Todd Bowles said Irving would practice ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals. If that goes well, then the plan is for Irving to play.
Irving will likely be in a heavier timeshare to start his return as he gets his legs under him. Historically, that means splitting third-down duties with Rachaad White, but Sean Tucker has played well enough in Irving’s absence to earn touches as well.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Irving Fantasy Outlook
Irving hasn’t played since September, but the Bucs seem to be counting on his return to come this week.
The talent is elite, and the matchup is far from prohibitive (Arizona has played four games against a preseason top 10 RB this season, and that player has cleared 18.5 PPR points in each of those contests), but we are left to guess at the workload.
READ MORE: Soppe’s Week 13 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Analysis for Every Player in Every Game
Irving racked up 90 touches (71 carries and 19 catches on 19 targets) in his four games, recording a 20+ yard catch in each of the last three. When right, you could argue Tampa Bay’s RB1 has as high a ceiling outside of the top tier as anyone, and I hope that we get there sooner than later.
Remaining Schedule
- Sunday vs. Cardinals
- Week 14 vs. Saints
- Week 15 vs. Falcons
- Week 16 at Panthers
- Week 17 at Dolphins
- Week 18 vs. Panthers
Assuming there are no reports of a setback, I’m taking a cautious approach and using Irving as an RB2. I still think he can do damage with limited work, but the fact that the Bucs have a specialist running back to take responsibilities off of Irving’s plate in a variety of ways (Rachaad White via targets and Sean Tucker carries) is worrisome.
I’m expecting 13-15 touches in his return to action, and if you roster Irving because you felt he was worthy of a mid-second pick this summer, that is likely enough for him to hit your lineup.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
