BuckyIrving

Matt Matera·Oct 10

The Bucs are inching closer and closer to a proper rotation of the running backs.

Bucky Irving had a tremendous game, rushing for 165 yards with one rushing touchdown and one receiving score. His 54% of the snaps was the second fewest he’s had this season, with the other coming in Week 3, however, that was more dictated by the Bucs needing to throw late to get back into the game. It’s apparent that less is more with Irving, as he looked like the 2024 version of himself. Less snaps means he can stay fresh. And that leads to ripping off 72 yards like he did last night on a career-long run in the third quarter to set up Emeka Egbuka’s 14-yard end-around score.

Nathan Jahnke·Oct 9

Bucky Irving takes goal-line snaps: Irving scored twice within five yards. Irving was among the highest-graded running backs in his rookie season, but injuries impacted his 2025 campaign. Many fantasy managers were skeptical of Irving this year. The Buccaneers invested in a second running back in Kenny Gainwell after his breakout season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They were also concerned about Irving's goal-line snaps. He only played in five of a possible 43 snaps within 5 yards last season, with Sean Tucker and Rachaad White leading the way when the Buccaneers were close to scoring. Irving’s playing time has been just fine over the first four weeks. He played 79.6% of early-down snaps, ranking third among running backs. Gainwell has been his backup and has taken most of the third downs and two-minute drill snaps. Irving has reached at least 14 touches in every game, and Irving was able to accomplish that by the end of the third quarter in this contest. Irving had only handled 10-of-21 short-yardage snaps, and neither of the two goal-line snaps over the first four weeks. Tucker had played four offensive snaps, and they were all in those situations, while Gainwell had taken the other plays. In this game, Irving received the first two goal-line snaps, leading to a receiving touchdown from five yards away and a two-yard rushing touchdown. Irving also broke a 72-yard run, giving him the best fantasy performance of his career. We’ll still likely see Tucker steal a few touchdowns away from Irving this season, but it won’t be all of the short-yardage scores like last season. Tucker handled a fourth-and-1 carry at the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter and didn’t convert, which could only help Irving’s case for future goal-line carries. Irving’s role is big enough to consider him a must-start going forward.