Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving Still Recovering From Shoulder Surgery

Irving, 23, only appeared in 10 games last year due to foot and shoulder sprains, with the latter hampering him for the rest of the year. The result was a significant drop in production relative to his standout rookie year, which featured 5.4 yards per carry and eight touchdowns. In 2025, he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and scored just once.

The 2024 fourth-round pick is not expected to be ready for the Buccaneers’ mandatory minicamp later in June. Instead, a return “at some point during training camp” is more likely, although that uncertainty may be worrisome for Tampa Bay (and Irving’s fantasy owners).

In the meantime, free agency signing Kenneth Gainwell and 2023 UDFA Sean Tucker will be in line for first-team reps.

Gainwell had a resurgent season in Pittsburgh last year with career-highs of 537 rushing yards and 4.7 yards per attempt as well as a huge role in the passing game. He caught 73 of his 85 targets for 486 yards and three touchdowns – all career-highs as well – and figures to fill Rachaad White‘s third-down role in Tampa Bay.

Tucker flashed in 2024 with 308 yards on just 50 carries (6.2 yards per attempt), but struggled to fill Irving’s void last year. He managed just 320 yards on 86 carries (3.7 yards per attempt), though he did post a team- and career-high of seven touchdowns.

Rounding out the Bucs’ backfield is 2025 UDFA Josh Williams, who appeared in just three games as a rookie (partially due to a six-game PED suspension). The team also signed undrafted rookie Kadarius Calloway, who averaged 7.1 yards per carry at Old Dominion in 2023 but failed to replicated those results at Cal and New Mexico State in the last two years. They will also be in line for more reps in spring practices, but Tampa Bay could also consider a veteran addition to hedge against an extended absence from Irving.