The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have no shortage of intriguing storylines during mandatory minicamp, but few are more important than the continued progression of running back Bucky Irving. After establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most exciting young backs, Irving enters the 2026 season looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued second season that ultimately ended with offseason shoulder surgery.
Irving was able to participate in portions of OTA practices, a positive sign that his recovery is progressing on schedule. While the Buccaneers have understandably been cautious with their star back, simply having him back on the field and involved in team activities was an encouraging development.
When healthy, Irving is the centerpiece of Tampa’s rushing attack. His combination of vision, burst, contact balance, and big-play ability transformed the Buccaneers’ offense after he took over as the lead back. Defenses struggled to contain him as he consistently turned slivers of openings into explosive gains.
Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from building on that success last season. Irving battled through multiple ailments throughout the year, including the shoulder issue that eventually required surgery and a foot injury that kept him out 7+ games. Despite not being at full strength, he continued to fight through injuries, showcasing the toughness that coaches and teammates have praised since his arrival.
The good news is that Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker provide quality depth behind him, allowing the coaching staff to be patient with Irving’s workload throughout the summer. There is no need to rush him back when the ultimate goal is having him fully healthy for Week 1. Still, every rep he takes during minicamp will be worth monitoring.
A healthy Irving gives offensive coordinator Zac Robinson a dynamic weapon capable of impacting games both as a runner and receiver. His ability to make defenders miss in space and generate explosive plays changes the complexion of Tampa’s offense.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers Mandatory Minicamp player to watch: RB Bucky Irving
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
