Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving suffered foot and shoulder injuries in Week 4 and has been out ever since.
A lot of intrigue has surrounded the unorthodox way Tampa Bay handled his situation, opting not to place Irving on injured reserve despite an extended absence.
A lack of injury information has become a common theme for the Buccaneers under Todd Bowles, who tends to remain tight-lipped about these matters.
But this week, information from anonymous sources began slowly leaking into the national media, finally giving fans more insight into Irving’s prolonged absence.
It started when Buccaneers legend Ronde Barber said on his WFLA show that Irving wouldn’t return for Sunday Night Football against the Rams.
“Bucky is getting better, but I don’t know if we’re going to see Bucky anytime soon,” Barber said. “I’m not at liberty to say why. Bucky’s got to get right with Bucky.”
Speculation only picked up steam when Mike Florio of NBC Sports added fuel to the fire with an ominous report.
“I’m not so sure Bucky Irving is going to be back this weekend based upon something I heard when we were in Philadelphia,” Florio said.
“I’ll tell you off-air what I heard,” he continued to his co-host, former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms. “I want to be careful. It just underscores the very real existence of inside information. Because it’s something that probably shouldn’t be out. But I don’t think he’s going to be back anytime soon. It definitely is more information than what’s in the injury report.”
Florio’s cryptic comments drew plenty of attention and seemed to force the organization’s hand. According to Greg Auman, Bowles is now expected to thoroughly address Irving’s status after practice on Friday.
Todd Bowles will address Bucky Irving’s status after practice today. I’m told he’s in a good place and close to a return to playing. https://t.co/VEOgN6ncDa
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 21, 2025
Another trusted Bucs insider, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, further confirmed the rumors.
“Bucky Irving needed some extra support after becoming injured and being away from his team for the first time in his career, according to people close to the situation,” Stroud posted on X.
This new wave of information has brought more clarity to a strange situation. Irving’s absence began with the injuries he sustained in Week 4, but it was seemingly a mental-health struggle that kept him out for so long.
Hopefully, Irving is getting the help he needs off the field and can make a full recovery both physically and mentally. His health and well-being are far more important than the game on the field, and the Buccaneers will be ecstatic to welcome him back whenever he’s truly ready.