Bucky Irving slips through a Bengals gang tackle Week 1.
If Week 1 of the NFL season is any window, it seems Bucs running back Bucky Irving has picked up where his rookie season left off.
Bucky proved to be one of the more dangerous running backs in the NFL in 2024. He could break off a long run by dodging defenders, or he could burn teams through the air.
That one-two punch resumed in Cincinnati. In fact, since the start of the 2024 season, Bucky was one of eight running backs to average 4.5 yards a carry and five yards a catch with a minimum of 250 touches. The others were Jahmyr Gibbs, De’von Archane, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, James Cook and Jonathan Taylor.
After the season opener in Cincinnati, Bucky has forced 116 missed tackles since the start of the 2024 season and averages 3.5 yards after contact. That figure is fifth-highest in the NFL. Only Henry, Archane, Robinson and Tony Pollard have more.
Last week Bucky averaged 6.2 yards per touch (run and catch). The only running backs to average more were Kenneth Walker, D’Andre Swift and Henry.
Joe believes if Bucky can stay healthy, the Bucs have a dangerous rushing attack.
