Bucky Irvings Injury Status Creates Fantasy Football Dilemma

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for their Week 14 matchup against the New Orleans Saints following their narrow victory over Arizona. Bucky Irving returned to action last week after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries. Will fantasy football managers have their running back available this week?

Bucky Irving Injury Update

Irving wound up drawing a questionable tag last week but was always expected to play. He made his return against the Cardinals and looked as spry as ever, handling 19 touches in the 20-17 victory. Irving rushed 17 times for 61 yards and a touchdown while catching both targets for 20 yards.​

Irving looked good and did not suffer any noticeable injury during the game. However, he was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder designation. This naturally causes fantasy platforms to change his status from healthy to questionable, which always appears scary to managers checking injury reports.​

There is no cause for concern here, though. Irving just came off an extended layoff due mostly to a shoulder injury. This is nothing more than maintenance on the first day of practice following his return to game action. The Buccaneers are being cautious with their sophomore running back after he missed nearly two months.​​

Irving is fine and at no risk of missing Sunday’s contest against New Orleans. The limited practice participation is standard protocol for players managing minor ailments, particularly after playing for the first time in weeks. Tampa Bay will monitor how his shoulder responds throughout the week, but his availability for Week 14 is not in question.​

Irving’s Fantasy Outlook

Todd Bowles was non-committal entering last week. He told us that Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) would get the first shot at a backfield that was going to lean into a “hot hand” approach.

That was a lie on multiple fronts.

Not only did Rachaad White get the first carry of the game, but Irving ran away with the backfield despite not really flashing a hot hand.

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He finished the game against the vulnerable Cardinals defense with 61 yards on 17 carries. That’s below average and if that qualifies as “hot” then the expectations are awfully low for those around him.

Irving found the paint in the third quarter last week, making good for fantasy managers after an early TD got wiped off the board by a holding penalty that probably wasn’t needed.

All systems go.

The Saints have given up 15+ PPR points to a running back in four straight games and I think that’s the floor for Irving this week as he naturally trends closer to full strength. He’s my RB8 for this week and this looks like a player poised to reward you for your patience with his rehab process.

— PFSN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe