Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles said after Week 3 that rookie RB Bucky Irving "has definitely earned more reps." Bucs coaches proved Sunday he meant it. Irving matched Rachaad White at 10 carries apiece. He also ran 20 pass routes to White's 24, drawing 2 targets to White's 3. Both RBs rushed for 49 yards. White's 2-35 receiving line easily beat Irving's 1 reception for 6 yards.
Bowles earlier in the week, when asked if Irving would take over as starter: "We’re gonna need Bucky and Rachaad [White] all year. Bucky had some schemed runs that worked and Rachaad had some that didn’t. That doesn’t mean he’s playing better. That means we couldn’t get the ball opening when we had Rachaad back there. We’re gonna use them both all year. How they play and how much they play will change every game, so it’s gonna be no different."
The rushing split wasn't shocking given how the first three games went in that area. The rookie out-produced the incumbent each week.
It was more surprising to see Irving run so closely with White in the passing game. Through the first three games, White ran 65 routes to Irving's 22.
It's also worth noting, of course, that White matched Irving in rushing and beat him in receiving vs. the Eagles.
And if we took Bowles at his word that Irving had earned more reps, then we also need to trust him that the usage will vary by week.
The Week 4 usage and production for Irving -- which included a rushing TD -- were obviously a positive step. Just keep in mind that this remains a developing situation.
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