Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving has been sidelined since suffering injuries to his foot and shoulder in Week 4 of the 2025 season. Club reports describe Irving as dealing with “a foot sprain” along with a shoulder subluxation. Head coach Todd Bowles has repeatedly emphasized that the shoulder remains the more serious issue: Bowen said Irving’s shoulder injury is “more than the ankle,” and noted Irving “got a full practice this week” and was expected to be “trending up” for a return. Irving himself acknowledged how hard the recovery has been, telling reporters he was “thankful to play this game, not taking anything for granted” as he worked back to full health.
Irving was initially believed to miss only a few games. Early October reports (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) indicated Irving would be sidelined “at least two weeks” due to the foot and shoulder injuries. In practice, however, the team took a very cautious approach. By mid-November Irving had been ruled out through Week 11, marking six straight missed games.
The Buccaneers’ official site later confirmed he would miss a seventh consecutive game, but targeted a Week 13 return. Coach Bowles expressed confidence that Irving was progressing, saying “he got a full practice this week and he’ll definitely be…playing next week”.
By early December, Irving began ramping up. Media outlets reported him participating in walkthrough practices in mid-November. Bowles reiterated that while Irving was back on the field, the team was being careful – especially with his shoulder. “It’s the shoulder more than the ankle,” Bowles said of Irving’s status. Even so, teammates and coaches were encouraged to see the second-year back taking handoffs and preparing for a comeback. In a press conference after a Week 13 practice, Irving emphasized how much the opportunity meant to him after the long layoff.
Irving’s return came on schedule in Week 13 (Nov. 30, 2025) against Arizona. He made an immediate impact, capping Tampa Bay’s first drive of the second half with a 13-yard rushing touchdown – the first TD of any kind for Irving since his injury. According to NBC Sports, that score gave the Bucs a 17-3 lead and represented Irving’s first action since Week 4. In the game Irving totaled 52 rushing yards on 12 carries. He remained in the rotation for the remainder of the season, sharing backfield duties with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.
Following the comeback, the Buccaneers did not report any new setbacks. Irving finished the 2025 season as one of the team’s active running backs, appearing in the final six games. As of January 2026 he is no longer on the injury report and is expected to enter the offseason fully healthy.
Sources: Tampa Bay Buccaneers official updates; ESPN (via Adam Schefter); CBS Sports; NBC Sports/Pro Football Talk.
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