Not much is going right for the Buccaneers right now. They’re in the midst of a losing streak while the Panthers surge into the divisional picture. On top of that, injuries are mounting. But they might be getting one of their key players back as Bucky Irving’s return is imminent. Does that mean we can expect Irving back in the lineup on Sunday against the Cardinals?
Analysis
Irving last played in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28. At the time, nobody could have anticipated how long his absence would be. But, according to head coach Todd Bowles, a return is imminent.
Irving got in some practice time last week and was reportedly close to playing against the Rams. Now the plan is simple: Irving will practice all week, and if he’s holding up okay by Friday, he’ll be in the lineup against the Arizona Cardinals.
But his fantasy outlook is a different story. Rachaad White has put up some solid performances in Irving’s absence after a couple of years as the lead back prior to the latter’s arrival. Sean Tucker came on in a big way, including a three-score performance in their Week 11 game. With Tampa Bay keeping an eye on the playoffs while needing wins, they need to thread the needle of keeping their lead back healthy while stepping closer to a division title.
If the Buccaneers are comfortable enough with Irving’s presence in the lineup, he should get a strong enough workload to be a fantasy starter. This would come against a Cardinals defense that has been below average in every run-stopping metric. But you shouldn’t expect Irving to come out of the gate as his RB1 self. Tampa Bay has the luxury of multiple running backs and sees sufficient reason to be cautious. Be patient with Bucky; his return could change your fantasy season, but it’s essential to manage expectations.
