Buccaneers Announce Decision on Bucky Irving After 6th Loss

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Buccaneers Announce Decision on Bucky Irving After 6th Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Trant | Last updated Nov 9, 2026 4:19 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are enduring a challenging first half of the 2026 NFL season. After a 27-24 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the Buccaneers are 3-6 and in third place in a lackluster NFC South division.

With quarterback Baker Mayfield missing time earlier this season, Tampa Bay has been unable to generate consistency on offense. However, running back Bucky Irving has emerged as one of the biggest bright spots on the team. Tampa Bay has leaned on Irving heavily to carry the offense, especially when injuries and weather have disrupted the Buccaneers’ passing attack over recent weeks.

Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Through nine games this season, Irving has carried the ball 167 times for 825 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. In Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons, torrential rainfall led to the Buccaneers giving Irving a season-high 27 carries, while Mayfield finished the game without completing a single pass.

Irving was given a large workload again in the loss to the Bears, receiving 20 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Irving’s 189 total touches from scrimmage this season rank third in the NFL behind Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson.

With the Buccaneers entering their bye week, head coach Todd Bowles is now considering how to manage Irving’s heavy usage rate over the second half of the season.

According to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times, Irving is currently on pace for roughly 315 rushing attempts this season, and Bowles said the Buccaneers will have to try to lessen the workload on him after the bye.

Bucky Irving has run well but on pace for 315 rushing attempts and Bowles said they will have to try and lessen the load on him after the bye week.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) November 9, 2026

Irving has been highly effective this season, and the Buccaneers are still alive in the NFC South race. They will need their star running back healthy and fresh if they are to generate momentum moving forward.

Last season, only Jonathan Taylor had more than 315 carries. Reducing Irving’s workload would likely require Tampa Bay to lean more heavily on the rest of its backfield. Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker are the two backs that could receive increased carries should Bowles decide to scale back on Irving’s touches.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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