Buccaneers' Todd Bowles offers huge Bucky Irving injury update

We often see during the offseason that players get surgeries to get themselves into the best possible shape for later in the offseason, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is no different.

He had an injury-interrupted 2025 season, and now Irving is looking to return to his best as the Buccaneers embark on a crucial 2026 campaign.

But to do that, they'll need a fit and healthy Irving running the football, and after having shoulder surgery this offseason, fans didn't know his status as OTAs began.

Well, head coach Todd Bowles just revealed it.

"He's coming along fine, working out, we expect him sometime back in the summer or the fall, and you know, we'll look forward to him when he gets back," Bowles said.

MORE: Analyst has interesting underappreciated player choice for Buccaneers

Irving looking to bounce back in 2026

After a superb rookie season that saw Irving post 1,122 yards and 8 TDs, he could only manage 588 and one touchdown in 2025.

Yes, injury played a huge role in it, as he only played 10 games, and now the Buccaneers will be looking to Bucky to rediscover his rookie season form in 2026.

Given how crucial running the ball is to the Buccaneers' offense, with Rachaad White no longer on the roster, it puts more pressure on Irving to be "the" guy behind Baker Mayfield.

Having usurped White for the starting role midway through his rookie year, now Irving has to prove he's past his injury problems and put on a show in 2026.

We know the talent is there, but he's got to be on the field to be able to showcase it.

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