It’s been tough sledding for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, adjusting to the loss of their star running back. However, for Bucky Irving, the injury was also a big adjustment. Irving had never sustained a serious injury at the NFL level before. Sure, he was banged up for some games in his rookie season due to a nagging toe injury, but this was different.
Irving suffered shoulder and ankle injuries that have knocked him out of the lineup since Week 5. The Bucs have had to navigate without one of their top playmakers, and while they have had some success, his big-play ability has been sorely missed. Irving could see the way his absence from the field affected the team’s performance, and as a competitor, he wanted to be out there with his teammates.
The injury then became more than just a physical hindrance; it started to take a toll on him mentally.
"It’s tough, man, [especially] your first time being hurt,” Irving said. “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.”
Irving’s faith helped guide him in the weeks he was rehabbing, and when he was standing on the sideline at games, wishing he was able to be out there with his teammates. But Irving didn’t just find comfort in his faith; he found it within the Bucs organization as well.
“This whole organization. I can’t name everybody from this person to this person, but the people who were with me every step of the way know who they are. I want to give big praise and a shoutout to them for helping me throughout this process. They’ve been around, and they’ve seen it before, so just being able to trust them, trust their plan, and help me get back and be around my teammates. I love being around my teammates.”
Irving’s ankle injury healed relatively quickly; however, it’s been the shoulder injury that has taken longer to heal. Irving returned to practice last week, but in a walk-through practice, he was not able to take the hits needed to test his shoulder. This week, Irving was fully ramped up. When asked how his shoulder was doing and if he was ready to go against the Cardinals, Irving smiled and said.
“I’m feeling great, I’m here, and I’m happy to be with my teammates.”