Bucky Irving entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations following a breakout rookie campaign. Selected in the fourth round, the Oregon product officially started just three games but appeared in all 17 while recording 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 207 carries, while adding 47 receptions for 392 yards for good measure. He looked like one of the best young backs in football, and he was supposed to solidify that status in 2025.
Unfortunately, injuries stood in the way of his jump to stardom. Bucky Irving appeared in just 10 games last year and wasn’t nearly as efficient with his opportunities. He averaged just 3.4 yards per attempt and never looked like his old self, as his foot and toe injuries clearly limited his physical ability. The running back is still recovering from his shoulder injury, but Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht recently gave a promising update on Irving’s status. According to Licht, Irving will be a limited participant in OTAs and should be fully ready to go in training camp.
Bucky Irving Injury Update: Buccaneers RB Expected to be Healthy For Training Camp
This is fantastic news for the Buccaneers, as a healthy version of Bucky Irving is easily the best running back on the roster. While he is small for the position, he plays a physical brand of football between the tackles and is capable of making plays as a receiver. Running back may not be the most important position in football, but having Irving on the field will give Tampa Bay a better chance of winning a wide-open NFC South.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, they have solid players on the roster behind Bucky Irving. While the team lost pass-catching specialist Rachaad White to the Washington Commanders, they replaced him with longtime veteran Kenneth Gainwell. After spending his early years with the Philadelphia Eagles, Gainwell broke out in a big way with the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers. Developing a close connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the running back finished the season with 537 rushing yards and 486 receiving yards. He probably won’t be anything more than a change of pace back, but he should be an upgrade at RB2
In addition to those two, the team still has former undrafted free agent Sean Tucker on the roster. Tucker played well in limited action last year, recording 320 yards and seven touchdowns on 86 attempts. He will likely be the third running back on the depth chart, but he could challenge Gainwell for backup duties. If Bucky Irving suffers another injury, either running back should be able to handle short-term starting duties.
The Rest of the Roster
The Buccaneers started the 2025 season on a high note but crashed down the stretch and lost the NFC South on a tiebreaker. Since then, the team lost franchise icon Mike Evans in free agency, and head coach Todd Bowles might not survive another losing season. This team must win the NFC South, which will be difficult when teams like the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints improved in the offseason, while the Falcons added a new quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa.
Bucky Irving won’t singlehandedly determine whether or not this team reaches the playoffs, but having a consistent running threat will increase their odds. Bowles is an old-school coach who will run the ball regardless of how effective they’re being, so having a running back like Irving on the roster is a necessity. If he stays healthy, he has a legitimate shot at another 1,000-yard rushing season. However, if injuries strike again, Tampa Bay could invest in a more durable running back in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – Imagn Images
