Bucs RB Bucky Irving.

Last week, Bucs coach Todd Bowles hinted the Bucs were looking to try to get running back Bucky Irving back on the field a week from today when the Bucs host the Cardinals.

Per uber NFL insider Adam Schefter, Bucky was really close to playing tonight. But Bucs types figured it would be in Bucky’s best interests to wait for one more game before bringing him back on the field.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving, who has not played since Week 4 vs. the Eagles due to shoulder and foot injuries, is expected to make his return next Sunday vs. the Arizona Cardinals, per sources. Irving looked strong at practice this week and might have been able to play vs. the Rams, but the team decided to hold him out, give him one more week and have him return next Sunday.

Now Joe doesn’t know if holding Bucky out tonight was in any way connected to the issue that the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio had about Bucky. Florio seemed to think Bucky might be out past the Cardinals’ game.

If Bucky was able to go tonight, it seems a disservice to the team not to have him suit up. But without knowing fully what is going on behind the scenes, Joe will trust the Bucs here.