After the Bucs’ 26-23 overtime win over the Panthers in Week 13, rookie running back Bucky Irving was on the verge of becoming the franchise’s first 1,000-yard rushing season since Doug Martin in 2015. I noticed. With five games left, he needed just 268 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark, averaging 53.6 yards per game.
Unfortunately for Irving, this week’s outlook isn’t as promising as before 1 week ago. Irving, who entered the Bucks’ Week 14 game against the Raiders with hip and back injuries but was tagged as “questionable” on the injury report, stiffened his back early in Sunday’s game. I was letting it happen.
Bucks RB Rathard White – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The team was understandably cautious about the injury. Ratchard White leads the way. Sean Tucker made a big run late in the game, and the Bucks were able to deal with it without their star rookie taking a step back. Tampa Bay won 28-13. 1st place in the NFC South.
Still, Irving had just four carries for 3 yards on the day, hurting his quest to make history. He has 735 yards this season, but needs 265 over the remaining four games to reach 1,000 yards. That’s an average of 66.3 yards per game, which is 9.8 more yards than he averaged this season.
The 3-yard performance clearly hurt his season average, as he entered Sunday’s game averaging 61.0 yards per game. However, his health for the remainder of the period may determine his chances of becoming part of the franchise. 9th 1,000 yard runner in history. On Monday, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles essentially said the team will work day-to-day with Irving.
“It’s been tightening up,” Bowles said. “We have to see how we feel. If we can loosen it up, he should be fine. If not, let’s see how this week goes.”
#backs Head coach Todd Bowles said Bucky Irving’s back is tight. They have to see how he feels. If they can loosen it up, he’ll be fine. They’ll see how the week goes.
— Pewter Report 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) December 9, 2024
Bucks schedule looks favorable for a fully healthy Bucky Irving
Bucks RB Bucky Irving – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Even if Bucky Irving can return to feeling at or near 100%, there’s a good chance he’ll break the 1,000-yard mark. That’s because a healthy Irving is sure to get a lot of opportunities, plus the Bucks’ No. 8 rushing attack will face some defenses that struggle with the ground game.
This Sunday’s game against the Chargers will be the only one of the team’s remaining four games in which a defense that ranks in the top half of the league will be able to resist giving up points. Los Angeles currently ranks 14th in rushing yards, allowing an average of 117.6 rushing yards per game. In Sunday night’s narrow loss to the Chiefs, the Chargers allowed just 96 rushing yards on 25 carries (3.8 yards average). Isaiah Pacheco gained 55 yards on 14 carries (3.9 average).
But after Week 15’s matchup with the Chargers, the Bucks will end the season with three straight games against teams ranked 25th or lower in run time. In Week 16, they will face a Cowboys defense that ranks 30th in allowing 141.9 yards per game. Dallas, which lost to the Bengals on Monday Night Football, allowed just 74 yards rushing on 19 carries (3.9 average), but Cincinnati runs a pass-based offense with Chase Brown averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He gained 58 yards on 14 carries. carry.
Bucks RB Bucky Irving – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Irving and the Bucs will face the Panthers again in Week 17, this time at Raymond James Stadium. Carolina was marginal against the run, allowing 170.1 yards per game. Of course, Irving just stepped up the Panthers’ defense two weeks ago, rushing for a career-high 152 yards.
Depending on how the next two weeks go and how healthy the rookie can be for those games, he could have another big performance against Carolina and potentially surpass the 1,000-yard mark.
To close out the season, Tampa Bay hosts New Orleans, which has the 25th-ranked run defense. The Saints are giving up an average of 134.2 yards per game on the ground, and Irving had one of his best games against the Saints in October.
Rathard White missed that game, but Sean Tucker really broke out that day, delivering a performance that won him the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Irving may have lost out on Tucker’s big hit, but Irving also rushed 14 times for 81 yards and a touchdown (5.8 average).
So if Bucky Irving can loosen up his back and stay healthy for the Bucs’ stretch run, he still has a chance to become the franchise’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015.
