Bucs' playoff hunt receives huge boost thanks to latest update involving star running back Bucky Irving
Every week is a playoff game, essentially, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), so they obviously need all hands on deck. Even if they're playing a team that's eliminated from playoff contention like the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10). That's why the latest update regarding star running back Bucky Irving is a big one. Per ESPN's Adam […]
Every week is a playoff game, essentially, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), so they obviously need all hands on deck. Even if they're playing a team that's eliminated from playoff contention like the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10).
That's why the latest update regarding star running back Bucky Irving is a big one. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Irving is expected to play after being listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report.
Irving missed the first two days of Week 14's practices with a hip/back injury that he suffered during last week's 26-23 win over the Carolina Panthers (3-9), but he was able to log a limited session on Friday that officially rendered him as questionable. Now, it looks like he'll be good to go against a decent Raiders run defense that's ranked 11th in the league in total rushing yards, allowing 114.8 yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry (t-8th).
It's not a major surprise, as Irving has already played through injury prior in the season. He fought through a hamstring injury all the way back in Week 4 and ended up playing against the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2). He was on the field for 42% of the Bucs' offensive snaps and finished the game with 10 carries for 49-yards and a touchdown. He also added one reception for six-yards on two targets.
The rookie has been such a difference-maker for the Buccaneers in 2024, it's easy to see why this is a big deal for Baker Mayfield and co. The main storyline to monitor moving forward would be potentially aggravating the injuries to the point where he misses time in the future, but obviously, only time itself will tell if that happens or not.
