Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles Reveals Bucky Irving Gameplan Before Cardinals Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Nov 28, 2025 3:25 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) are in first place in the NFC South despite having a myriad of injuries this season, but the Carolina Panthers (6-6) are breathing down their necks.

Luckily for the Buccaneers, running back Bucky Irving is expected to be back for Sunday's home matchup with the Arizona Cardinals (3-8) after not playing since Week 4, via ABC Tampa Bay's Kyle Burger.

"It's tough, your first time being hurt," the 23-year-old admitted. "When I step on the field, I don't take this game for granted. I love what I do every day, I love my teammates. When I go out there, I show them each and every time I get the ball that I'm gonna make plays and make things happen for this organization... When God takes something away from you, He's telling you to get closer to him and lean on him... Everything was alright because I had the right people around me."

Head coach Todd Bowles revealed how Tampa Bay will use Irving on Sunday, via ESPN's Jenna Laine.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

"We'll put him in," he said. "Once he gets in, we'll see how he is rolling, and then between him, Rachaad [White] and Sean [Tucker], we'll kind of go with the hot hand."

White leads the Buccaneers with 414 rushing yards on 104 carries (4.0-yard average) this season, but Tucker has 243 yards over the last four games. The latter back tallied 106 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns as well as 34 receiving yards and another score in their 44-32 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11.

Todd Bowles on Bucky Irving’s usage Sunday: "We'll put him in. Once he gets in, we'll see how he is rolling, and then between him, Rachaad [White] and Sean [Tucker], we'll kind of go with the hot hand."
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) November 28, 2025

Bucky Irving Can Help Buccaneers Seal Division Title

Tampa Bay has survived with White and Tucker manning the backfield, but Irving can help the offense thrive if he returns to his rookie form. The former Oregon Duck played all 17 games last season, totaling 1,122 yards on 207 carries (5.4-yard average) with eight touchdowns as well as 47 catches for 392 yards. He also rushed for 77 yards and caught a touchdown in Tampa Bay's 23-20 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC wild card game.

The Buccaneers' offense has been carried by quarterback Baker Mayfield and rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka, as veteran wideout Mike Evans (collarbone) is on injured reserve, and fellow receiver Chris Godwin has only played three games this season due to various injuries. However, Irving can be a consistent rushing threat that takes pressure off the passing game, which will give them another advantage in the division race.

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

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