Tampa Bay Buccaneers star running back Bucky Irving has been out injured with both a foot and a shoulder injury for about a month. He hasn't played for this high powered Buccaneers offense since Sept. 28 when the Bucs lost 31-25 to reigning Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles.
A 1,100 yard rusher in his rookie season, Irving has been one of the stars of this Bucs offense and an important part of Baker Mayfield setting up the vertical passing offense. The Bucs haven't been the same on that side of the ball with all their injuries, and whlie another rusher, Sean Tucker, has risen recently to become a star to watch, Irving has still 100 percent been missed by Tampa Bay.
On Sunday, the Buccaneers will battle the Arizona Cardinals with Mayfield at less than 100 percent after suffering a shoulder injury against the Los Angeles Rams. Following that 34-7 loss to Los Angeles in prime time on Sunday night, the Bucs offense needs all the help it can get.
The Buccaneers need Bucky Irving back
Irving was able to practice fully for the Buccaneers throughout the week leading up to this battle with the Cardinals, and thus he is fully expected to play. Nearly a week ago, ESPN's Adam Schefter called Irving returning for the Bucs against the Cards already, as Todd Bowles and the team have been targeting Week 13 as Irving's return date all along.
With just 3.3 yards per carry this season and now coming back from injury with Tucker threatening his job, Irving has a lot to prove on Sunday against the Cardinals and will have his number called, even if Rachaad White and Tucker manage his snaps with carries of their own as the Bucs wisely look to ease Irving back into action.
The Bucs are in big need of a bounce back win after brutal losses to three great teams in the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams, so a bottom feeder like the Arizona Cardinals could be exactly what's needed for the Bucs to return to winning ways. Irving's return is a big boost, too, and while fantasy football owners should be cautious since Irving isn't headed for a full work load, he will nonetheless be worth watching closely on Sunday, especially if he rips a couple of big runs off to make a statement to Tucker and the others that the feature back position remains his.