A Bucky Sighting

Whether you’re a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan or an avid fantasy football fanatic, you’ve undoubtedly had your eyes on running back Bucky Irving’s injury status over the past several weeks. Irving has been absent from the field since Week 5, totaling six absences so far this season. The leading running back had an incredible start to the season, averaging 59.25 yards rushed per game and 48.25 yards in receptions per game.

Taking on two injuries after a Week 4 match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles, Bucky Irving has spent the last six weeks healing his foot and shoulder. What was initially expected to be a short leave of absence ending after the Week 9 bye has proven to be more serious, as Irving has yet to return.

Yesterday, though, Rick Stroud from the Tampa Bay Times posted a picture of Irving at Wednesday’s practice walk-through in preparation for the matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Head Coach Todd Bowles commented on Irving’s absence after last week’s loss to the New England Patriots, pointing to Irving’s shoulder injury as the main reason for holding.

While it may only be a sliver of a chance to see Bucky Irving return to the field this week, that’s a sliver of hope for the rest of the Buccaneers’ injury-riddled season. Watch closely over the coming days for any more information on Irving’s whereabouts in practice. We should hopefully be entering the final weeks of his recovery.