The injury bug isn’t done with Bucky Irving yet.
Limited to just 10 games in 2025 due to foot and shoulder injuries, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star isn’t in the clear as training camp nears. An offseason shoulder surgery has thrown a wrench into the timeline, meaning there are no guarantees that Irving will be ready for Week 1.
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Head coach Todd Bowles didn’t do anything to quiet those concerns on May 26, when he spoke with reporters after the first organized team activities (OTAs) practice.
“He’s coming along fine,” Bowles said. “He’s working out. He’s rough. We expect him sometime back in the summer or the fall, and you know, we’ll look forward to him when he gets back.”
The idea that the running back’s return could be delayed until the fall is cause for concern, especially after last season. There is still a long way to go, but this will be one to monitor with training camp and preseason action just around the corner.
Here’s the latest on Irving as the offseason activity ramps up.
Bucky Irving injury update
Irving is expected to return sometime in the summer or fall, according to Bowles.
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He was held out of the first day of OTAs, but did work off to the side with the running backs coach, Skip Peete, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman. Of course, there is still a long way to go until training camp opens – when there would be real concern if Irving is absent.
Tampa doesn’t seem to be worried about Irving’s availability for 2026, considering it didn’t add to the running back room this offseason. Instead, the Bucs only brought in Kenneth Gainwell to replace Rachaad White as the pass-catching option out of the backfield.
Irving burst onto the scene in his rookie season, rushing for 1,122 yards and accounting for eight total touchdowns. He finished the 2025 season with just 588 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.
He’ll be looking to bounce back in 2026.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bucky Irving might not return until the fall, per Bucs HC Todd Bowles
