Todd Bowles announces decision on Bucky Irving’s availability for Sunday against New England
Tampa Bay’s injury issues remain through the bye week.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a much-needed bye week last Sunday, as a banged-up roster works to get healthy before the second half of the season gets underway this weekend against the New England Patriots.
A number of starters and key role players are on the shelf, and the most notable is running back Bucky Irving, who’s been dealing with foot and shoulder issues since the team’s 31-25 loss to Philadelphia back in September.
Unfortunately, according to Todd Bowles on Friday after practice, Irving will miss another game, along with Chris Godwin, Haason Reddick, and Markees Watts. Luke Goedeke will be listed as questionable.
Bucky Irving will miss his fifth straight game
Irving suffered foot and shoulder issues in the Bucs’ loss to the Eagles. It was a bad sign when he was spotted at practice the following week in a boot and on crutches. It was later revealed that he was also dealing with a shoulder issue that was more significant than the foot injury.
Bowles noted this week that everybody is running at practice, which includes Irving, but that he’s not at the point where he’s taking contact with his injured shoulder, so how close he is to playing remains to be seen.
Tampa Bay’s running game has been stagnant with Irving on the sideline, with the team topping the 100-yard rushing mark just once over the last four games (104 vs. San Francisco).
Goedeke’s return could help a struggling ground game
However, getting their right tackle back would be a boon for the offense. Goedeke was placed on injured reserve after aggravating a foot injury in the team’s Week 2 win over the Houston Texans. He’s in his 21-day window to return from IR, so he could be activated on Saturday if he’s got a chance to play.
It sounds like he could be close to being ready after practicing in some capacity all week, so we’ll see on Saturday if the team gives him a shot to play by activating him, or if a return the following week against Buffalo will be the goal.
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