ClutchPoints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been without starting running back Bucky Irving throughout their offseason program after he underwent shoulder surgery. However, that all changed on Thursday.
Irving was able to participate at OTAs for the first time. Between his hand offs and routes run, the running back proved he still has plenty of explosion post-surgery.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving is doing drills today at OTAs for the first time this offseason since his shoulder surgery. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/wzoQ3r1wxw
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) June 11, 2026
OTA sessions must be taken with a grain of salt, as there are no pads being worn or tackles taking place. Still, the fact Irving is on the field is telling. If he made his offseason debut at training camp, there would be questions and murmurs up until that point. But his presence on Thursday helps quiet down any long-term injury concerns.
Once training camp begins, Irving must prove he is fully healthy and ready to lead Tampa Bay’s rushing attack again. That plan coming to fruition would be a massive boon for the Buccaneers at large entering the 2026 season.
Injuries took a massive bite out of Irving’s 2025 season, as he only appeared in 10 games. But a year prior, over a full 17-game season, the running back turned 207 carries into 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns.
While Irving struggled in 2025, he did show improvement as a pass catcher. He made 30 grabs for 277 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. In 2026, the Buccaneers will be expecting him to be a dual-threat force in 2026.
But the first order of business was getting him back on the gridiron. Tampa Bay will still remain cautious as the last thing they want is an injury setback. At the very least though, Irving’s Thursday appearance shows things are proceeding well in his return from shoulder surgery.
The post Buccaneers’ Bucky Irving crosses major hurdle towards Week 1 injury return appeared first on ClutchPoints.
