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In May, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said the team expected Bucky Irving to fully heal in time for the start of training camp. More recently, it was learned the recovery process from his shoulder surgery was still ongoing.
Irving wound up being a limited participant in Tampa Bay’s offseason program as a result, leading to questions about his status for training camp. When speaking to Fox13’s Mark Skol over the weekend, however, the third-year running back said he expects to be a full participant at the start of camp. July 29 will mark the onset of the Bucs’ training camp.
The team could move Irving to the active/PUP list over the coming days to buy him further recovery time. If that does not wind up being necessary, though, a full summer workload will be in store. Irving was limited to 10 games in 2025, so a rebound in terms of availability would be welcomed. Better health in general would be key for the Buccaneers, given the number of injuries the team dealt with on offense in particular last year.
Rachaad White saw his Bucs tenure come to an end this spring when he departed in free agency. Tampa Bay brought in Kenneth Gainwell as a new contributor to the backfield, and his strong season in Pittsburgh will lead to high expectations on his latest team. Sean Tucker is also in the fold, but even so Irving will be counted on to operate as a leading figure upon returning to action. The former fourth-rounder totaled over 1,500 scrimmage yards as a rookie and handled RB1 duties last season before being sidelined.
After the 2026 campaign, Irving – 24 next month – will be eligible for an extension. The Buccaneers could authorize a big-money deal in the event of a healthy and productive season, so his availability will be something to watch closely. For now, he should be on track to resume full team drills this summer.
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