Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Star Running Back Has Shoulder Surgery
The 2025 season was a frustrating one for Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving and his fantasy owners. After a stellar rookie campaign, expectations were sky-high, but a nagging shoulder injury derailed his year and left a major question mark in the Bucs’ backfield.
Now, there’s a significant update that offers a glimmer of hope for a 2026 comeback. News has emerged that Irving underwent shoulder surgery immediately following the season. While surgery is never ideal, the timing of the procedure is a positive sign that he and the team are focused on getting him back to full strength for the upcoming season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bucky Irving: An Injury-Plagued Season
Bucky Irving’s struggles in 2025 can be traced back to a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 4. The injury ultimately caused him to miss seven games, and even when he returned to the field in Week 13, it was clear he wasn’t the same player. The explosive, dynamic runner who burst onto the scene as a rookie looked hesitant and less effective.
The numbers tell the story. After rushing for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns in his rookie year, Irving’s production plummeted. He managed just 588 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. The advanced metrics were just as concerning, as he failed to average over four yards per carry in any of the final six games of the season.
It’s clear the Buccaneers believe the shoulder injury was the primary cause of his regression. By addressing the issue head-on with surgery, the hope is that Irving can put the injury behind him and return to the form that made him one of the league’s most exciting young backs.
What This Means for the Buccaneers
The timing of Irving’s surgery is crucial. By having the procedure done right after the season, he maximizes his recovery time. This timeline gives him a strong chance to be fully healthy and ready to participate in the team’s offseason program, including OTAs and training camp. A full offseason of work is vital for him to regain his rhythm and confidence.
The Buccaneers’ running back room is in a state of flux, which makes Irving’s health even more critical. With Rachaad White set to hit free agency, Irving is currently positioned to be the undisputed lead back. A healthy Irving is more than capable of handling that workload, but the team will likely look to add depth to protect their young star.
Looking Ahead
His injury-plagued 2025 season underscored the physical toll of being a primary running back in the NFL. Expect the Buccaneers to bring in another back, either through the draft or free agency, to share the load and keep Irving fresh throughout the long season.
For now, the focus is on recovery. A healthy Bucky Irving is a game-changer for the Tampa Bay offense. If the surgery successfully corrects the issues that hampered him last year, the Buccaneers and their fans can look forward to seeing the explosive playmaker they remember from his rookie season back on the field in 2026.
