Todd Bowles: Aiming For Bucky Irving To Play Against Cardinals
November 21st, 2025
Out.
Bucky Irving officially is out for Sunday night in the City of Angels.
That’s the word from Bucs coach Todd Bowles, who did nothing to throw water on reports that something other than injuries is keeping him off the field.
“He’s not going through much off the field,” Bowles said. “He got hurt and he didn’t handle it well because he was hurt for the first time.
“He had a full practice this week. He’s definitely trending up to be playing next week. So we’re just preparing him for the Arizona game.”
Rondé Barber first mentioned it on his WFLA-TV Channel 8 web-only show that Bucky would miss the Rams game Sunday, his seventh absence of the season. Then, the curator, creator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio backed that up with additional information.
Florio suggested Bucky is dealing with a non-physical issue and Florio gave no hint it was related to the legal system.
The fuse was lit.
Joe had details a month ago but only could get off-the-record reaction, and it’s a sensitive issue, so Joe turned the page.
Prior, Bucky had never missed significant time with an injury whether in college or with the Bucs.
November 21st, 2025 at 12:48 pm
One of the rumors is Bucky hid the shoulder injury and Bucs staff got peed cause could of made it worse.
November 21st, 2025 at 12:49 pm
I cannot imagine the pressure these guys are under. And yes, they are paid well.
Get well soon.
November 21st, 2025 at 12:51 pm
So if he plays next week, the “won’t play anytime soon” comment from florio was just him pushing his brand. No shocker there.
I like PFT but that was not needed.
November 21st, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Will Bucky be rushing the QB?
Asking for a friend.
November 21st, 2025 at 12:55 pm
All I heard is that Bucky is such a dawg he was bummed he couldn’t be out there balling. Salute and get healthy 7.
November 21st, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Awesome, real season starts after Thanksgiving. Even at 6-5 Bucs will control their own destiny. 7-4 would be much better though. Maybe the Bucs shock the world Sunday night.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:03 pm
bucky might be the best player on defense by keeping them off the field. he also brings a mentality that the team desperately lacks. bucs gave been directionless under bowles without bucky losing past 3 of 4
November 21st, 2025 at 1:07 pm
OneAndThree, I bet he’d get more sacks than Diaby and Braswell combined.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:07 pm
anything can happen but it will be an uphill climb. the bucs can beat anyone if all three sides have a great game. not sure when that has happened all season though…
November 21st, 2025 at 1:09 pm
The Bucs have to win to prove to themselves they can beat a high caliber team after these Bills, Patriots, Lions and Eagles losses. The Rams are great but if the Bucs want to get some confidence just win.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:25 pm
This usually amounts to the player not going with the recommended treatment prescribed by the team doc. Bucky hid the shoulder injury from the Bucs staff and maybe surgery was suggested to accelerate recovery (remember the team wants their players back ASAP) but he denied it. Frankly I think the Bucs medical staff is one of the worst in the NFL. Look at the situation with Godwin. They rushed him after literally reconstructing broken bones.
But NFL players are humans too that go through family crisis so it could be something in the family as well.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Tucker had a monster game. We lost because our defense is hot garbage. Having Buckey back won’t keep our defense from giving up big plays. Without the ability to rush the passer, coupled with busts in coverage, this team is going nowhere. Rest of this season is make, or break for Todd. If he can’t get this defense playing better, there’s no sense keeping him as head coach. Lose the division to Carolina, which is very possible would certainly get him fired.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Bowles might as well drop his fat behind into coverage.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:32 pm
All games count but Sunday’s game counts a lot less than the last 6 games of the season. We play Arizona, Atlanta, Miami, Carolina (twice) and the Saints. Rest up the injured in the hope they can finish out the season for us.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:40 pm
“Florio suggested Bucky is dealing with a non-physical issue and Florio gave no hint it was related to the legal system.”
Keep hearing Bucky was really depressed, and if that’s the case I hope he get’s his head sorted out before touching a football field. As depression is something that doesn’t care how talented nor financially enriched you are, and when it hits it’s as if the world around you is crashing in on you. I hope whatever support system Irving has is keeping him covered and well away from the edge of panic.
November 21st, 2025 at 1:59 pm
This Gen Z era, I tell ya. A little adversity and its time to go lay on the couch and get consultation from a white coat. Times have changed so much. How can Ronde play 15+ years without missing barely any games and these stud athletes in a less physical game twist their fanny packs wrong and miss 3 games. My mind is blown.
November 21st, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Jmarkbuc Says:
November 21st, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Bowles might as well drop his fat behind into coverage.
Hahahahahaha!!!!
Yeah he’s like Homer Simpson growing so big he can stuff the Nuclear power plant stack to stop a meltdown.
Perhaps his wide girth can block Stafford’s vision to the wide open receivers with 15 yard seperation.
November 21st, 2025 at 2:09 pm
i hear bucky is addicted to sanka…yep it’s a real problem…just ask florio, he drinks sanka too
November 21st, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Jmarkbuc Says:
November 21st, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Bowles might as well drop his fat behind into coverage.
😂😂😂😂😂
sunday, my mom said: “Son, is it me or does Todd get bigger every time the camera hits him”……lol….
GO BUCS!!!!
November 21st, 2025 at 2:23 pm
if its depression, BUCS cant fail him!!!!…
they have to provide him with all the resources and support Glazers loot can buy…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 21st, 2025 at 2:51 pm
He won’t make it to halftime. Licht’s precious 4th round pick yielded a chronically injured player. Huge injury history in college.
November 21st, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Florio is known for his click bait and typically wrong conspiracy theories.
I take about as much stock in what Florio says as I do Russini (which is next to none)
November 21st, 2025 at 3:23 pm
It’s hard to believe every week the BUCS have more injured players than the opponents. I believe we leave players out with a hang nail. Every year it’s the same thing. I know Evans is really hurt. Bucky Irving and Godwin may as well mark off this year and try to get in a game or two next season.
November 21st, 2025 at 3:34 pm
He is in spirit, just like the guys on the field. They’re getting the same results.
November 21st, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Nice cover-up on not being able to break the story, joe. I just hope the bucks don’t get investigated by the NFL for covering up the injuries.
November 21st, 2025 at 3:58 pm
What is speeding Bucky’s rehab is Tucker’s showing RB1 talent. Competition is the best medicine. Bucky can be spectacular, but Tucker can handle more carries.
November 21st, 2025 at 4:03 pm
Joe knows, but he is the only one smart enough to be able to handle the information responsible. So he lets us know he knows, and that he’s not going to tell us. That’s first rate journalism.
November 21st, 2025 at 4:06 pm
Makes ZERO sense. I’m still convinced this has to do with Bucky waiting on HIS doctors to clear him. Without the team knowing the exact timeline they are stuck in limbo. Could be the same for Godwin. Did they seek out the same 3rd party medical team?
November 21st, 2025 at 5:03 pm
According to DVOA long considered the best NFL stat information, Tampa has played the 4th toughest schedule in the league. They rank #13 in offense and #7 in defense. By comparison the Rams rank #2 on offense and #2 offense. San Fran and Tampa have the most front-line players lost to injury over the course of the season. Tampa’s trouble has been special teams where they rank 28th.
November 21st, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Joe, you just made my day, now that I realize that I TOO have NFL talent for rushing the QB… (disclaimer: only in a Todd Bowles defense)
November 21st, 2025 at 6:23 pm
This can’t be right we we’re told by posters on this site that Bucky will miss the rest of the season. Godwin too!
November 21st, 2025 at 6:26 pm
Jeff Says:
“He won’t make it to halftime.”
Jeff you said the same think about Goedeke.
You were wrong about that too, like always…
November 21st, 2025 at 6:47 pm
The best thing going for the Bucs is that Carolina will lose to a healthy San Fran on MNF and still have the Rams and Seahawks to play. Let’s face it, Bowles does not actually win the division every year, he has backed in too, like last season when the ATL collapsed. He better stack wins vs teams like the Aints, Miami and AZ and open up a lead. If Carolina wins the division, that might make the Glazers do something. Todd Wright had some great points about Bowles, Rah and Dan Campbell in a recent podcast. Spot on about all 3, especially Bowles and nice point that the Glazers might be okay with winning divisions so Todd thinks he is safe (and IMHO, unaccountable) but winning the division does not get you a boat parade. Losing the division will stir things up at OBP..
November 21st, 2025 at 7:28 pm
He’s depressed. Sh!t I’m depressed watching this sad @sss team and defense. Every year it’s something or another.
November 21st, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Maybe Joe has already told us what happened. What if Joe uses a really good fake name in the comments and then leaks out the news he can’t print on the site. If I was an owner of a site and as a reporter I couldn’t say things that could stop people from talking to me, I would be doing it that way. I would just suggest that the Joes use the name “notjoebucsfan” so no one would know it’s them. 😂
November 21st, 2025 at 8:05 pm
Good one ChiBuc!
Buddha, ah, an Aaron Schatz fan!
November 21st, 2025 at 8:24 pm
I mentioned a month ago it was a different issue than injury. Although, he was injured too. But like I said then, it’s none of my business or anyone else’s. I respect everyone’s privacy and hope Bucky comes back strong on the field and in life.
November 21st, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Lawrence
Are you aware specifically of the problem? That Bucky was just upset that he was injured. Seems a little bit odd.
November 21st, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Life is far more than work. Personal and family health are foundational. Hope he is ok.
November 21st, 2025 at 10:16 pm
Jameis Says:
November 21st, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Life is far more than work.
———-
Football isn’t work.
And “life is far more than work,” that’s what lazy people say to explain their personal failings – and what rich people say to make unsuccessful people think they’re not the failures they actually are.
November 21st, 2025 at 10:18 pm
Missing the Rams game is fine with me as the Bucs aren’t winning this game, so why not give him and Godwin and extra week. Heck Baker too, and everyone else dinged up. Does it really matter if you lose by 17 or 35? Not really. Get everyone healthy and ready to start the run vs the Cards – that game is where I want to see Bucky and Godwin back… and hopefully we start hearing about Evans being close to practicing, his early return window is the Cardinals game – very unlikely, obviously, but in the next few weeks we should hear something.
November 21st, 2025 at 10:28 pm
well if bucky is depressed in tampa, let’s get his azz over to mons venus…
someone keep this young man smiling
November 21st, 2025 at 11:08 pm
So within two weeks- Godwin, Bucky, Brederson, Dean.
That is fantastic and they could get on an awesome run towards the playoffs with a lot of garbage teams coming their way BUT……….
Is Yaya going to start getting sacks again? Is Reddick and Nelson going to reappear?
Are they going to figure out how to cover our bees out of the backfield or TEs/WRs in the middle of the field?
If something doesn’t change with the scheme of the defense, this Super Bowl contender is going to be one and done in the playoffs again
This comment has been brought to you by an optimist.
November 22nd, 2025 at 7:02 am
Football isn’t work? Spoken like a true sycophant.
Get over it. If the Bucs win or lose, life goes on. I wouldn’t expect you to get that bruh. You probably huff rubber cement.
November 22nd, 2025 at 7:11 am
Just hard to believe them anymore with this “injury report” on everyone because they’ll tell you they could be playing & then they’re gonna be out again.
November 22nd, 2025 at 7:24 am
Until we can see this defense stop someone it doesn’t matter who comes back.
November 22nd, 2025 at 7:48 am
The speculation has gone too far. I just read Stroud’s article. What the heck do you think Bucky’s response is to that? Are writers’ egos so big they don’t give a crap what their words do to a person? Trying to compete with Florio is a very unworthy goal. I know Stroud has plausible deniability with my statement, but this speculation needs to stop and now. What’s your goal? Ruin his life or run him out of town with your rumor mongering?
November 22nd, 2025 at 9:24 pm
Blowes = Loser