What is the status of Bucs RB Bucky Irving after win over Panthers? The star rookie addressed his injury on Monday

RB Bucky Irving had a breakout performance on Sunday in the Bucs' 26-23 overtime win over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.  Tampa Bay's third round pick totaled 152 yards on 25 carries with a touchdown and added 33 receiving yards on 3 catches.  

The talented rookie, however, banged up his hip at the end of the first half when he took a kickoff out of the end zone and up the field with 3 seconds left.  He was announced by the team as questionable to return, but he came back and had a major impact, carrying the team with 53 and 60 scrimmage yards on two of the Bucs' fourth quarter scoring drives, including a 6-yard touchdown. 

However, after the game, Irving was seen walking into the locker room with a pad on his hip and walking somewhat gingerly, appearing to respond "f-ck no" to a question about if he was alright. 

Irving met with the media on Monday, and he said his hip is in better shape just one day after the injury, which he confirmed came on the kickoff return.

"I feel way better.  Got to get back to work, let the training staff get me right.

"It happened on the kick return, but I had to put all that to the side, do what's best for the team and try to win the football game."

Irving mentioned that the holes where there for him to get through, thanks to an offensive line that deserves more credit for the success of the Bucs' ground game, which rolled up an impressive 239 yards on 39 carries (6.1 ypc). 

"I don't really like taking all the credit. It's them guys up front. I think I've got to do something real nice for them guys for Christmas because they're getting the job done. I don't really want to take all the credit. Like I said, we've got to get more of them guys ahead and give them the credit for getting the job done up front." 

Bowles indicated that, while Irving is a special player with unique skills who's getting more used to the Bucs' offense, the plan moving forward will be for both Irving and White to be used together as they have been. 

"He's getting more comfortable with the offense," Bowles said. "And the more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, and the more he can do. Like you said, both of them (Irving and White) are running well. We're happy with both of them. Bucky has a skill you can't teach. He can make people miss in the hole. He's tough on the inside.  Rachaad had a big run at the end of the game as well. So, using them both together seems to be working out for us." 

We'll find out on Wednesday when the first practice report is issued whether Irving is indeed significantly better as he claims.  If he's not, between White and Sean Tucker, the Bucs have plenty of talent in the backfield to hold down the fort until he's ready.