Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, sidelined for much of the 2025 season due to injuries, is expected to be ready for the 2026 training camp, according to General Manager Jason Licht. Speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine, Licht reassured fans that Irving’s health won’t pose any lingering problems going forward, signaling strong 2026 readiness for the star player.
10 Tampa Bay Sports Director Evan Closky reported that Licht emphasized Irving will “definitely” be prepared for training camp, though he might only participate in limited activities during the early stages of offseason workouts (OTAs). Licht explained,
“He will probably be ready at the tail end of OTAs to do some limited stuff.”
Despite this cautious approach, no serious setbacks are anticipated.
Injury Recovery and Performance Challenges from 2025
Irving’s struggles last season were largely linked to shoulder and lower-body injuries that kept him off the field for significant stretches. He returned in Week 13 to help secure a win against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring a rushing touchdown in his first game back from a Week 4 injury sustained against the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions.
His overall 2025 performance was below expectations, with an average of just 3.4 yards per carry and a rushing success rate of 41.6 percent. This was a sharp decline from the previous year when Irving excelled with a 55 percent rushing success rate, 5.4 yards per carry, and 1,122 total rushing yards along with eight touchdowns on 207 carries.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Irving underwent shoulder surgery, making Licht’s confidence in his full recovery and readiness for camp especially encouraging for Buccaneers supporters.
Importance of Irving for Buccaneers’ 2026 Plans
At just 23 years old, Bucky Irving still has a promising career ahead, poised to play a vital role as a three-down back in the upcoming season. The Buccaneers faced challenges beyond Irving’s control during 2025, including injuries to key offensive linemen and wide receivers, as well as struggles in both the passing game and defense during the latter half of the year that affected the team’s offensive efficiency.
With teammate Rachaad White anticipated to become a free agent, Irving’s role gains even more significance for Tampa Bay’s offensive strategy in 2026. Licht’s positive remarks about Irving’s health carry weight as the team looks to avoid setbacks and maximize the running back’s impact next season.
