By Rowan Fisher-ShottonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberLast season, Bucky Irving broke out as one of the NFL’s most efficient rookies, producing 1,122 rushing yards at 5.4 per carry with eight touchdowns, plus 392 receiving yards on 47 catches.
Through four games in 2025, Irving added 237 rushing yards and 193 receiving yards with two receiving scores before missing the next six games due to foot and shoulder injuries.
Despite initial optimism and the decision not to place him on IR, he has now missed nearly two months of action.
He returned to practice last week in a limited capacity and again this week, with Todd Bowles indicating more work was planned and reiterating the team will wait until he’s fully ready.
As of Thursday, a return remains unlikely against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
Rondé Barber said he doesn't believe Irving will play on Sunday night and suggested the situation may extend beyond injuries, underscoring why the team’s posture has stayed guarded despite limited practices.
On Thursday, Mike Florio agreed that he doesn’t believe Irving will be back this weekend and hinted that Irving might not be back "anytime soon," a problematic development given that only seven games are remaining in the season.
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Read More: Raiders’ Pete Carroll Sends Strong Message to Geno Smith After Cowboys Loss
Tampa Bay’s offense has struggled to adjust without Irving in the lineup.
Since the Eagles game, Irving's last appearance, the team has gone 3-3, including back-to-back losses entering Week 12.
The staff has leaned on Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but the unit’s explosive run tendencies and screen game have been harder to replicate.
White is the team's leading rusher on the season with 376 rushing yards and four rushing TDs on 97 carries (3.9 yards per carry).
...Read More: Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer Addresses CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens Decision
The question of when Irving returns matters as much to Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes as it does to fans.
For the Bucs to stay in the playoff picture, they will need to finish the season strong with an upcoming schedule that features road contests against the Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins, and at home versus the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Panthers.
These games won't just be crucial for the NFC South race, but they may well determine whether the Bucs make it to the postseason altogether.
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