The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dropped three straight after their bye week and are only a half-game ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South. They’ve lost the last two weeks on the road against the Bills and Rams, but they’ll be in a more favorable matchup against the Cardinals at home in Week 13. In what could be a get-right spot, they could also get RB Bucky Irving back from his extended absence. Sean Tucker stepped up in his absence, but what will his role look like when Irving returns?
Let’s take a look at the latest injury updates on Irving and the fantasy football outlook for each running back in the Bucs’ backfield for this week.
Will Bucky Irving Finally be back?
Irving has been sidelined by foot and shoulder injuries since Week 4. The second-year back was off to a fast start and had established himself as the primary option in the backfield. He racked up 237 rushing yards on 71 carries and added 193 yards and two touchdowns on 19 catches.
He has been out since then with both a mid-foot sprain and a shoulder subluxation. There were also some mental health issues that arose from his absence and recovery process, but it looks like he’ll be able to return this week after getting in full practices:
What to expect Bucky Irving’s role to be in Week 13
Just because he’s back, though, doesn’t mean he’ll resume his earlier workload. In fact, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said the Buccaneers will approach the running back’s return like they did with Chris Godwin Jr.‘s return from injury last week. Godwin only played 35% of the team’s snaps, and Grizzard implied a similar workload for Irving this week.
If Irving plays about a third of the team’s snaps, he’ll still have a high ceiling since he brings plenty of big-play potential, but he will also have a low floor since he’ll be working with lower volume. His success as a receiver could help him contribute some PPR production, but in a reduced role, he’s a very high-risk flex play, even against the Cardinals.
Sean Tucker still rolling?
In the last two weeks, Tucker has impressed after taking over for Rachaad White as the primary back. He had 19 carries for 106 yards and two catches for 34 yards and scored three touchdowns against the Bills in a 37-fantasy-point outburst in Week 11.
In Week 12, he still got most of the work, taking 12 carries for 42 yards even though he only played 37% of snaps. White played more snaps but only had seven carries for 38 yards. He didn’t find the end zone, but still looked solid in a tough matchup against the Rams’ stout front seven.
Since he was doing so much with limited snaps already, he still seems like a viable option this week against the Cardinals. Irving’s return will cost him work in the long term, but for this week, he still can be a solid flex play.
The Bottom Line
The Cardinals have been a top-10 matchup for running backs this season and have allowed over 100 rushing yards to the position in three straight weeks. On the season, running backs have 14 touchdowns in 11 games against them and are averaging 98.3 rushing yards and 29.1 receiving yards. There should be enough work available for both backs to be viable flex plays, although Irving will have a dangerously low floor. Tucker’s role after this week is shaky, but I still like him as a solid option for at least one last ride.
In one-week contests on DraftKings, like the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st], Irving comes with a $7,000 salary that makes him extremely high-risk. Tucker at $5,500 is much more affordable and a solid play if he gets most of the work, especially if the Bucs end up playing from ahead like most of Arizona’s opponents have lately. He’s a good value to consider this week, and you could even mix in Rachaad White at $5,000 if you have to go cheaper, since he had flier touchdown-reliant upside as well.
