The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be without rising star running back Bucky Irving for their Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, considering the latest injury update on his lower leg.
“Bucs RB Bucky Irving was wearing a boot on his left foot and was using crutches,” Tampa Bay Times beat reporter and Bucs insider Rick Stroud relayed on the morning of October 1.
Stroud also provided updates on various injuries. Noting: “OLB Haason Reddick has a stinger Sunday but is at practice. So is DT Greg Gaines, who left with a pectoral injury. Still no Mike Evans, obviously. It’s a walk thru so tough to discern who is going. Did see Jamel Dean but it was all special teams during media period.”
Following Stroud’s update, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter added that “Bucky Irving is dealing with a foot sprain, per source.”
And NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport expressed that “Irving’s status [is] very much in doubt for Sunday…”
Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Provides Hope for Bucky Irving in Week 5, Adding Context to Injury Update
GettyTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving celebrates a touchdown.
Although the first round of injury updates on Irving were a bit unsettling, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles’ remarks on the matter have to make fans feel slightly better about the status of their RB1.
Per Bucs team reporter Scott Smith, “HC Todd Bowles says RB Bucky Irving is day-to-day with his ankle injury but would need to be out of his walking boot by Friday to have a shot at playing Sunday.”
So, in all likelihood, Irving could certainly miss Week 5 against the Seahawks, but the Buccaneers playmaker doesn’t appear to be out long-term. That’s the silver lining here.
There was no talk about him being placed on the injured reserve as of October 1, and Bowles’ “day-to-day” label provides hope that Irving could return sooner rather than later.
Bucky Irving Has Become a Focal Point of the Buccaneers’ Offense in 2025
Irving had a breakout rookie season, but in 2025, his role has taken another step further as the unquestioned lead back and a focal point of this Bucs’ offense.
Not only has Irving carried the rock 71 times over the first three weeks, but quarterback Baker Mayfield has also targeted him 19 times through the air. The results in the passing game have been great, with Irving catching all 19 targets for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The ground game has come with more growing pains, as Irving takes on the bell cow role.
Irving’s yards per carry have plummeted from 5.4 yards per carry in 2024 to just 3.3 yards per carry this year. Some of that is due to injuries on the offensive line, but backup Rachaad White (4.7 yards per carry) has had plenty of success running the ball in 2025, so general fatigue could be a factor, too.
White should get the opportunity to be the lead ball carrier in Week 5 if Irving is sidelined against the Seahawks. RB3 Sean Tucker has also shown promise when given the opportunity, and should work into the offense alongside White short-term.
For now, the Buccaneers are covered pretty well, but obviously, getting Irving back as soon as possible will be a big priority for the coaching staff and medical personnel.
Buccaneers Insider Provides Unsettling Injury Update on Bucky Irving