Bucky Irving, the running back, is trending toward a return. The Bucs have been managing his shoulder and foot issues since late September, and Tampa Bay practiced around his timeline this week after he missed multiple games. Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Irving will work through the week and, if he’s fine by Friday, “he will play” on Sunday against Arizona.
“He’s not going through much off the field, but he got hurt. He didn’t handle it well, because he’d been hurt for the first time. He had a full practice this week. Definitely be trending up for playing next week, so we’re just preparing him for the Arizona game, which is what we’re getting him ready for and that’s what he’ll be ready for,” said Todd Bowles (via Rick Stroud / Tampa Bay Times).
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Bucky Irving will not play against the Rams but is “trending up” to play vs Cardinals next week. Says he got hurt and “didn’t handle it well..” but doing fine. pic.twitter.com/oeh8uvYaxV
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) November 21, 2025
Bucky Irving Injury Update Trends Toward a Cautious Week 13 Return
Latest on Bucky Irving’s injury status and whether the Buccaneers RB is expected to suit up in Week 13 against the Cardinals
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) runs during the fourth quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The 23-year-old running back missed time with shoulder and foot trouble, but he returned to full practice reps this week and is “trending up” for Arizona. That’s promising for a Tampa Bay backfield that’s had to shuffle snaps without him. The coach’s timeline is to practice all week, test on Friday, and play on Sunday if cleared. This is the classic hinge the team uses to avoid rushing a key piece.
This is a conditional return, not a confirmed activation. The Bucs will watch Irving through Friday’s skate and evaluate his shoulder and foot responses under contact. If the illness-of-confidence language (“didn’t handle it well”) from Bowles sounds odd, it’s because the head coach was describing a player’s first significant injury reaction, both physical and mental. That context matters. Sports outlets have flagged the combo of foot and shoulder as the limiting factor; the team’s medical staff and coaching staff are cooperating to ensure Irving’s snap count won’t spike immediately.
If he suits up, Irving provides a burstier, more explosive option than the current lead back. Even a limited Irving vet-play, such as calls and short-yardage snaps, changes defensive looks and helps Baker Mayfield. If Friday reveals lingering issues, the Bucs will hold him out and push the timeline; if he passes, expect a managed usage plan Sunday in Arizona. This Bucky Irving Injury Update gives fans reason to be hopeful, but not to assume a full workload out of the gate.
Bowles put the onus on Friday’s practice, suggesting that if they practice all week, they will be fine on Friday, and he will play. The team’s reporting backs that path. Monitor Friday’s report; that will convert this Bucky Irving Injury Update from “trending up” to either “active” or “wait-and-see.”