In the wake of a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are grappling with a potentially serious setback in their running back room. Bucky Irving, the dynamic rookie who burst onto the scene last season with over 1,100 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, appeared to tweak something in the first half of that 31-25 defeat. He gutted it out and played through the second half, but now reports suggest he's dealing with a lower-body issue—possibly an ankle or foot sprain—that has him seeking multiple medical opinions.
Coach Todd Bowles confirmed Monday that Irving was among several players headed for MRIs, though he kept details sparse. By midweek, Irving was spotted at practice on crutches and in a walking boot, a sight that didn't inspire confidence. This comes at a precarious time for Tampa Bay, where the backfield has been a strength built around Irving's explosive style, complemented by Rachaad White's versatility and Sean Tucker's power running. White, the former starter now in a rotational role, has quietly put up 108 yards on 23 carries this season, plus nine receptions for 34 yards—numbers that could swell if Irving sits.
However, the situation feels precarious. Irving's emergence last year transformed the Bucs' ground game, earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 13 after a 153-yard performance against Carolina. Yet relying so heavily on a 23-year-old who played through college wear-and-tear raises eyebrows; his rookie snap count was already high at times. Tucker, for his part, has been a solid backup but lacks White's pass-catching polish, which could limit Tampa Bay's options in obvious passing downs. Indeed, fantasy managers are scrambling, with White emerging as the clear waiver-wire priority over Tucker in this unsettled depth chart.
Moreover, the Bucs' offense, under coordinator Liam Coen, thrives on a balanced attack, and Irving's potential absence disrupts that rhythm just as they push for playoff contention. Bowles expressed worry post-game, hinting at broader concerns for the unit. As Tampa Bay eyes its next opponent, the true depth of this injury—and its ripple effects—remains an open question worth watching closely.