Bucky Irving “Believes” He Will Be Ready For Training Camp
July 20th, 2026
Availability.
Training camp is right around the corner.
In fact, a week from Wednesday will be the first Bucs training camp practice of 2026. So a question Joe wonders is if Bucs running back Bucky Irving will be full-go when camp opens.
During underwear football season, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said the hope was for Bucky to be ready in the “summer or the fall.” Shortly thereafter, the Bucs went into full-blown damage control, claiming when Bowles says “fall” he means “summer.” (But he said both.)
Guess it is a good thing Bowles didn’t say “winter.”
Bucky returned to the Bucs practice fields on the final day of OTAs, the first time he hit the field since shoulder surgery.
But that’s underwear football. There is zero hitting in underwear football. Will Bucky be full-go for training camp? He “believes” so.
That was the word from WTVT-TV sports reporter Mark Skol. He went to Bucky’s youth camp at Blake High School. While he didn’t get Bucky on video discussing training camp, Skol said that Bucky told him off-camera he “believes” he will be ready for training camp.
So there’s that.
You know, Joe isn’t sweating this. The less wear-and-tear Bucky has, the better. So if Bucky misses a week or two of training camp, Joe’s not going to lose a lick of sleep.
July 20th, 2026 at 4:00 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if they take it slow with him and kind of hold him back. That’s why they brought in Gainwell
July 20th, 2026 at 4:31 am
Absolutely no sleep is right because Gainwell should start anyway.
Tucker is serviceable. Don’t rush him back into another injury.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:34 am
out with the bucky of 2025…
and in with the bucky of 2024…!!
🙂
July 20th, 2026 at 5:39 am
Thank heaven we picked up Kenny Gainwell. Personally not counting on Bucky for a whole bunch in 2026.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:06 am
I said his rookie year, ya running him into the ground. Just like Cadillac.
Bucky isn’t a Timex.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:14 am
Don’t hold your breath. He might not be ready until week 1. They didnt bring White back so they had to get Gainwell. I would like to see Tucker run more.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:23 am
Joe Says:
“…if Bucky misses a week or two of training camp, Joe’s not going to lose a lick of sleep over it.”
————————————————————————————-
Normally, I would agree with this. But with a new OC and new offensive system, I believe it’s more important for him to get reps in training camp.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:52 am
Of all the positions that don’t need training camp, RB is at the top of the list. As long as he is a full go in practice by August 20-something it’s like he never missed a thing.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:57 am
Had my shoulder surgery 2 weeks ago, I won’t even be released to my blue collar job until late August
July 20th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Professional athletes and a computer/phone need ,2 different animals! UGH!
July 20th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Bucky better tighten up…i can see Tucker gaining the trust of the coaches and teammates
GO BUCS!!!!
July 20th, 2026 at 9:07 am
Good Lord. Is he a wet paper towel or what? Ready to go? How long does one hit wonder take to heal?
July 20th, 2026 at 9:41 am
I’m an Optimus. I really think the Bucs will have a great season (11-6), but the fact is everything has to work. One of the key factors is the running game and we cant have what we had last year. I’m glad we got Gainwell but we need Bucky juking and jiving to another 1000 yard season. Because without his moves Bucky is just a spectator.
July 20th, 2026 at 10:18 am
BatW Says:
July 20th, 2026 at 9:41 am
I’m an Optimus.
_________________
The full Prime version? Or just the Orion Pax version before he got the Matrix of Leadership?
Optimist… The word you were looking for is optimist. X-D
July 20th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Honestly, Bucky to me is an afterthought at this point.
Repaired shoulder on an undersized RB who’s not going to run by/away from anybody and is still rehabbing in July.
Gainwell and Tucker should do the heavy lifting right out of the gate. One is basically a bigger, somewhat faster/more fluid version of Bucky and the other is a Shane Vereen clone we use sparingly.
July 20th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Not too worried either Joe but something sounds off with that whole situation. Not getting the whole story me thinks.
Go Bucs!
July 20th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Likely go the same route Wirfs injury went. He Likely should have had season ending surgery when it happened.
Tucker and Gaineswell will both light it up behind our First string O-Line.
July 20th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
I’m with WBL at this point. THIS is a ridiculous amount of time to heal and since we’re this far down the road………. afterthought.
Btw, White Left… “They decided not to bring him back” is a Joke! If you put one plus one together , you should come up with the talent level of White and what he’s got to offer PLUS no Bucky = White hauled Arseee! You’d have to be retarded to actual believe otherwise. No Way do you leave your team with only Tucker and maybes if “you have a choice”…
We were Very Lucky to find, and paid out the nose for Gainwell. And we’re STILL a man down within the weapon that White was for us. Not to mention a number one blocker and drop off point for Mayfield…… We HAVE gone Backwards once again!
We ARE NOT set at the running back position ESPECIALLY with this news that Bucky is Far from ready except to offer “Maybe’s and I think so’s”
July 20th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Bucky is not a power back. Bijan Robinson is only an inch taller but 20lbs heavier and I won’t even bring up players like Barkley or Henry.
Bucky depends on his wheels and ability to SLIP tackles not run over guys. So IMHO the fact that his knees are still healthy is the most important. I do hope they figure a way to limit his carries regardless of his health. Again he’s not a Barkley/Henry/Bijan type of player.
July 20th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Fragile running backs aren’t all that helpful. Seems like he was supposed to be back last October.,
July 20th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Gainwell we’ll do for now.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Just saw video of Gainewell repping 495 for 10 parallel squat reps – damn 🤯
July 20th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
I just hope he got stem cell injections.
I’m watching Quarterback season 2.
You know what helped Kirk Cousins come back from his torn Achilles?
Stem cell injections in the Carribean.
You know what helped Peyton Manning come back from à broken neck?
Stem cell injections.
I really hope Bucky will take his time before returning.