The Tampa Bay Buccaneers provided a brief injury update on running back Bucky Irving on Tuesday.
Irving played through a shoulder injury last season. Irving had surgery on the injured shoulder, but the Buccaneers have declined to provide details on the surgery.
On Tuesday, new Buccaneers offensive coordinator praised Irving for his versatility as a running back but suggested the running back might need to see a lower snap count in the upcoming season. Robinson confirmed Irving was not practicing with the team during OTAs.
“Obviously, we’re missing him right now,” Robinson said, via joebucksfan.com.
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Tampa Bay selected Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. He was a steal for the Buccaneers as a Day 3 pick, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors, rushing for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He added another 47 receptions for 392 yards in the passing game.
Irving played in just 10 games and started in nine games last season after suffering foot and shoulder injuries in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He rushed for 588 yards and one touchdown. He added 277 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the passing game.
Irving admitted during the season that it was tough for him to stay away from the game.
“It’s tough, man, [especially] your first time being hurt,” Irving said, via pewterreport.com. “When I step out onto that field – like I always say – I don’t take this game for granted. I love what I do every day. I love my teammates. When I go out there, I show them that each and every time I get the ball, I’m trying to make plays and make things happen for this organization and this team to help them in any type of fashion to win football games.
“When God takes something away from you, He’s telling you to get closer to Him and lean on Him. Being down and having something taken away from you… everything was alright because I had the right people around me.”
Extra time away from practice during OTAs should allow Irving to return to full health when the team needs him to get in football shape during training camp this summer. He’s become a feature player in the offense, and the Buccaneers need him available for more games this season to make a return to the playoffs after narrowly missing the postseason in 2025.
Newcomer Kenneth Gainwell signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers in free agency and is expected to be the RB2 this fall. He should see extra reps this spring with Irving out.
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