The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without three of their best offensive weapons in Sunday’s Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers as receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin plus running back Bucky Irving were each officially ruled out on Friday.
This upcoming absence marks Irving’s second consecutive missed game since suffering foot and shoulder injuries in the Buccaneers’ Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Irving is dealing with a left-foot sprain and a shoulder subluxation. The second-year running back’s shoulder injury is the bigger concern and could hold him out for “1-2 more weeks,” according to team insider Rick Stroud of he Tampa Bay Times.
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Irving electrified the league as a fourth-round rookie in 2024, rushing for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns in his debut NFL season. Before suffering his injuries in Week 4, the 23-year-old RB had 237 rushing yards, 193 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
The Buccaneers are 4-1 heading into Sunday’s Week 6 matchup against the 49ers. After that, the NFC South leaders have matchups against the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints before their Week 9 bye.
If Tampa Bay can keep winning without Irving on the field, it may make sense to delay his return until after the team’s bye week.
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Veteran running back Rachaad White was solid as the Buccaneers’ lead back in Week 5, rushing for 41 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He also reeled in four catches for 30 yards from quarterback Baker Mayfield.
With several missing offensive weapons, Mayfield has found his new favorite target in rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Through the first five games of his NFL career, the former Ohio State standout has 25 catches for 445 yards and five touchdowns.
Sunday’s matchup against the 49ers will kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET.