Bucky Irving Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles said Monday that RB Bucky Irving is one of several players scheduled for an MRI. Bowles gave no other details about Irving's status. He appeared to tweak an ankle in the second half of Sunday's loss to the Eagles, but no injury was reported during or after the game. We'll update Irving's status when we know more, but RB Rachaad White and even RB Sean Tucker are worth rostering in the meantime.

If you played Bucky Irving in Week 4, then you probably enjoyed yourself. The Bucs' lead RB proved just OK on the ground, with a 15-63 rushing line in the loss to the Eagles. But he added a 5-102-1 receiving line that got pumped up by a 72-yard TD. Although that kind of play always involves plenty of luck, Tom Brady (Fox's color analyst for the game) explained right after the play that he used to tell his receivers to go deep when things start breaking down and he's forced to improvise. That Irving made such a move, got the ball from Baker Mayfield, and took it all the way highlights the RB's receiving value. But Sunday's game also marked the first time this year that Irving didn't dominate Rachaad White in receiving usage. Should we worry?

Second-year RB Bucky Irving rushed 25 times for 66 yards and snagged all 4 of his targets for an additional 33 yards in Tampa Bay's 29-27 Week 3 victory over the Jets. The 29 touches best the 28 Irving posted in Carolina in Week 13 of the 2024 season.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving handled 14 of 17 team RB carries in Sunday’s 23-20 win over Atlanta. Irving caught all 4 targets for 8 yards and 1 score.

The Buccaneers won't be placing LT Tristan Wirfs on IR, HC Todd Bowles said Sunday. That was mentioned as a possibility when Wirfs underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in early July -- and would have knocked him out for the first four games. Bowles added that Wirfs won't be ready for Week 1, but the team clearly expects him back before Week 5.

The Bucs watched RB Rachaad White leave Saturday's game early with a groin injury. We'll see how long that's expected to sideline him. But regardless of when he returns, it sounds like we should expect RB Sean Tucker to get the ball more.

Buccaneers RB Rachaad White suffered a groin injury in Saturday's preseason game. He limped off the field and fell on the sidelines before being attended to by trainers. We'll update White's status when we know more. If he's forced to miss regular-season time, it certainly wouldn't hurt RB Bucky Irving's touch upside and would turn RB Sean Tucker into an upside bench stash.

Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Tuesday, The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reports. Stroud adds that Wirfs "will likely miss at least the first couple games of the regular season." ESPN's Adam Schefter calls Wirfs a candidate for the PUP list, which would cost him at least the first four games of the season.

Buccaneers OC Josh Grizzard envisions the 2025 backfield looking similar to how it did at the end of the 2024 campaign. “I would say how we ended last season was essentially where we would take off," Grizzard said. "There’s a spot for all three of those guys (Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker)."

The Buccaneers promoted Josh Grizzard to OC, replacing Liam Coen. Grizzard was the team's passing game coordinator last year. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Dolphins, moving from offensive quality control to WRs coach. Grizzard has no play-calling experience at any level, but the Bucs are prioritizing continuity after the big 2024 season under Coen. "Josh is bright and innovative and was instrumental in our game planning and play design over the last year," HC Todd Bowles said. "After interviewing several outstanding candidates throughout this process, it ultimately became clear that our best option was here in our building." Grizzard will be Tampa Bay's fourth different OC in the last four years -- and QB Baker Mayfield's ninth different play caller as a pro.

Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers. That should mean lead duties again for TE Payne Durham. He surprisingly ran a route on 88% of Bucs pass plays last week, catching five of seven targets for 29 yards. He'd be a desperation play in season-long lineups but is a viable salary-saver in DFS. Otton's absence could also push more targets to WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan and RBs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving was explosive running the ball picking up 68 carries on 16 rushes, including one TD. He made the Cowboys defense miss numerous tackles throughout the game and was utilized in the passing game. He caught all three for his targets for 24 yards as well

Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday night’s game vs. the Cowboys. HC Todd Bowles called him a game-time decision on Friday morning, but he’s evidently unlikely to play. The other TEs on Tampa Bay’s roster are Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, and Devin Culp. None is a viable fantasy play. Otton’s absence should push more targets to the WRs and RBs.

Update: The Buccaneers downgraded Otton to out.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (back, hip) is active for today’s game vs. the Chargers. There was optimism about his status throughout the weekend, but it remains unclear how big a workload he’ll handle today. The Bucs might not even know until they see how Irving’s body is holding up once this game gets going. Consider the rookie a risk/reward fantasy start.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (back, hip) is expected to play vs. the Chargers this afternoon, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That jibes with Jeremy Fowler's Saturday report on Irving. The rookie certainly seems on track to play today, but it's still uncertain how much work he'll be given and/or be able to handle. Irving had huge games in Weeks 12 and 13 but lasted just 10 snaps in Week 14. That's a good illustration of his range of outcomes today. Use the Who To Start Tool to see if Irving makes sense for your fantasy lineup.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that there's "optimism" about RB Bucky Irving's status for Sunday's game vs. the Chargers. "Irving has been feeling better later this week and hopes to play, per a source," Fowler writes. "He reaggravated his hip pointer injury from a week ago but is trending in the right direction." Irving has also been dealing with back tightness and will come with elevated risk in Week 15 fantasy lineups. But he could also deliver nice production if his body cooperates. We'll look for further updates on his status but won't get the Chargers' inactives until a little before 3 pm ET tomorrow.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (back, hip) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Chargers. He got in a limited practice on Friday after missing the previous two days. Irving’s availability will hinge on how that back feels on Sunday. We’ll keep you updated on his status. The rookie will be a risk/reward fantasy start if he ends up playing.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (back, hip) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Todd Bowles said earlier this week that they'd need to see how Irving's back fares over the course of the week before determining his status for Sunday's game vs. the Chargers. Consider him truly questionable for now.