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A constant refrain has echoed from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. When will Bucky Irving return?
Irving’s absence wasn’t initially believed to be of the long-term variety. The Buccaneers opted not to place the 23-year-old back on IR while he was dealing with shoulder and foot injuries in wake of the team’s Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, Irving has thus far ended up missing seven games because of the maladies. Will that streak come to an end in Week 13?
Here’s what to know about Irving’s status as the Buccaneers prepare for their Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
When will Bucky Irving return?
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles told reporters the team’s plan is for Irving to return for the team’s Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals during a Nov. 24 news conference.
“He’s gonna practice all this week, and if he’s well by Friday, he’ll play on Sunday,” Bowles said of Irving.
Bowles’ comments come after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Irving had “looked strong at practice” ahead of the team’s Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Schefter also added Irving “might have been able to play vs. the Rams, but the team decided to hold him out.”
While Irving “looked strong,” he was a limited participant in practice ahead of Week 12. Bowles had expressed more uncertainty about the 23-year-old running back returning from the shoulder and foot injuries that had kept him out since Week 4 in the lead-up to the game.
“We’re going to up their reps this week and ramp them up and see where they are,” Bowles told reporters Nov. 19, about Irving and Chris Godwin. “So we’ll get a good idea tomorrow and Friday on exactly where they are.”
It isn’t clear whether Irving will have any limitations if he is, indeed, able to return to action in Week 13.
Buccaneers RB depth chart
The Buccaneers presently have four running backs on their 53-man roster, including Irving. Below is a look at the pecking order within the group:
Bucky IrvingSean TuckerRachaad WhiteOwen Wright
White opened the season as Tampa Bay’s top backup behind Irving, but Tucker has earned a larger role in the backfield in recent weeks. The second-year pro enjoyed a breakout game in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills, totaling 140 yards and three touchdowns, to establish himself as the top alternative to Irving.
That said, White remains the team’s top receiving option out of the backfield, logging 29 catches through Week 12. He may continue to see snaps in obvious passing situations if the Buccaneers opt to ease Irving back into the lineup.
Meanwhile, Wright has just three carries on the season. All came at the end of the Buccaneers’ blowout loss to the Rams in Week 12.
The Buccaneers also have Michael Wiley stashed on their practice squad while Josh Williams, who opened the season as the team’s fourth-string running back, is currently serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances.