Bucky Irving Starting To Roll
October 13th, 2026
Warming up?
The very best friend an undrafted rookie quarterback can have is a strong run game.
And Joe is confident that Bucs running back Bucky Irving’s monster performance in Dallas last week helped Jalon Daniels play smart, effective football.
Last week was big for Bucky’s short career. His 165 yards rushing was a career-best. Naturally, his 72-yard run was his longest run. And the 175 yards from scrimmage in Dallas was the third-most of his career.
The win was also the first time Bucky had both a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game.
Bucky also became the 13th Bucs player to ever run for 2,000 yards in his career. Bucky tied the great Warrick Dunn as the fourth-fastest Bucs player to reach 2,000 yards rushing — just 32 games.
Doug Martin (25th game), Cadillac Williams (29th) and Errict Rhett (29th) each reached 2,000 yards quicker.
If the win over Dallas becomes a turning point for Bucky, it will really help Daniels, no matter how long he has to start. And Joe would expect it to help Baker Mayfield as well, whenever he returns.
October 13th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Let’s ride him out until he inevitably gets injured because he is smallish. Go Bucs!
October 13th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Bucky Irving finally had a Sean Tucker game lol
I’ll say, I was calling for another one of our RBs to get some burn early in the game because Bucky looked very tepid to start the game with. It feels like we’ve been waiting(we have) since 2024 for him to have a game like he did last Thursday.
Not to take anything away from it, but outside of the huge explosive Bucky still averaged 4.65 yards per carry on his other attempts which isn’t bad at all while 126 of his 165 yards came on 5 carries. So still good, because those 5 carries were all > 10 yards and were runs we weren’t creating on the ground as explosives. By the numbers, that was Buckys’ best individual performance since December of 2024.
October 13th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Stay healthy kid…
5’10” – 190 lbs.
Let’s get him 35 touches per game.
Great idea – you football geniuses.
LOL!
October 13th, 2026 at 9:41 am
James Cook 5-11 -190lbs
October 13th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Marine you old fart! No more Riggings Campbell Oykoye etc..I could throw in Allstot! times have changed my friend.Henry is a freak that comes every 15 – 20 years maybe
October 13th, 2026 at 9:49 am
We can run the ball.
Luckily, most defenses aren’t built to stop the run. They are built to stop the pass.
So let’s run, and let our young Rookie get his growing pains out of the way.
Trade all the guys that are here to win now. This team won’t win now.
Trade Mayfield, Vea, Godwin, Mauch, and Gainwell.
Accumulate draft picks.
Let Daniels grow with Ebuka,Hurst, and Bauer
A new GM. New Coach
Cap room. High draft Picks.young team growing together.
What’s not to like?
October 13th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Steve, Henry is an anomaly. An alien. Much like Josh Allen at the quarterback position. I continue to marvel at Henry’s production at both his age and his stature. He originally reminded me of Eddie George given his size. But he’s even bigger, and a much better running back, which says a lot because George was also a bit of a freak. To add to the Henry mystique, when you look at his high school stats, and the sheer number of carries he’s had in high school, college, and the pros, it makes it even more impressive and anomalous.
October 13th, 2026 at 9:53 am
@ Steve
LOL!
I’m not asking for a C. Okoye you silly goose…
I am asking for more production from the HB that our GM decided to allocate $7M salary cap credits for.
I would also like to see Tucker get 5-6 touches per game.
Is that too much to ask for Steve?
October 13th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Keep Baker on the sidelines until he is healthy. That’s when he plays championship ball. GO BUCS
October 13th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Next game 15 carries for 42 yards and no tds. The Bucky Irving roller coaster
October 13th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Here’s the thing….Dallas can’t stop the run even on a good day. The Steelers not only do well stopping the run, you can bet they will sell out to stop the run. Picture the defense with a constant 9 man box. The Bucs will be forced to throw the ball and it won’t be dink and dunk. We will need Godwin & Hurst to be productive to have a chance
October 13th, 2026 at 11:43 am
The Steelers will be keying on stopping Bucky and containing Daniels’ scrambles. Bowles will no doubt instruct Zac to use a lot of 3 TE sets with a lot of screens and behind the line passes to keep the Steelers off balance and compete in a different way. More like the Packers game.
We are so fortunate to have Bowles calling the shots.
October 13th, 2026 at 11:51 am
Ahem! While it MAY be a “passing league”, you still need to be effective in the ground game.
I agree with my Jarhead friend! We need a healthy rotation. Cadillac Williams comes to mind! Don’t beat the guy up.
October 13th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Can’t wait for Baker’s return since it looks like he has a ruining game again plus a defense! Anyone who thinks that he doesn’t return after the Steelers game is delusional.
October 13th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Keep him healthy. Max 20 total touches a game. Keep in mind that Sean Tucker in addition to our best short yardage back is the fastest of the three running backs. Try him out on some wide zone plays.
Bring back Buck and Tuck!
October 13th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Steve 007 Great post, i saw an article on Henry he said he spends over 200k a year on his body ,also he said he didn’t know gaps and how guards blocked pulled ..etc.They just handed him the ball and the rest is history…
October 13th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Darren Sproles….5’6 170
October 13th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
MARINE…So no optimism on this Buc team pulling themselves out of this hole??
October 13th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
@ Steve
7-10.
I’ve been saying it since August buddy…
I have not changed my original projection.
7-10… I had us at 2-4 after the Steelers game and I still think that is realistic for this roster.
October 13th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Kinda sad how 7-10 prediction seemed like Debbie Downer but now seems optimistic.
October 13th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
The record doesn’t matter. Bucs fans need to enjoy the ride.
October 13th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
Trump will be at the game Sunday
October 13th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
There are body types of bell cow NFL running backs
There are body types of NFL centers
We have neither and thinking that we do.
Bucky is a DELUXE offensive weapon
Use him wisely!
October 13th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
The Gainwell issue bothers me ,My son is a Ravens fan ,has had season tickets for the last 15 years He loved the Bucs getting Gainwell cause he didn’t want him torching the Ravens anymore..They’ve gotta start involving him
October 13th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
What would Liam do ?
He’s doing just fine if you are following
October 13th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
@ Steve
That’s all I’m saying bud.
Why did we waste $7M on Gainwell?
I love Bucky but he was injured most of last season and he is an under-sized HB to begin with…
October 13th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Fools gold. Love the giddiness of winning one game. Daniels is going to replace Baker, Bucky is going to continue running over defenses. Just listen to yourselves. Haven’t been following the Steelers, but their defense will be ready unlike Dallas for Daniels, and Bucky. Rodgers has two big TEs, Adams, and Warren. Stands will be filled with yellow towels, and even the weather will have a Pittsburgh feel. Bout to come back to reality.
October 13th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
MadMax & Steve V Warrick Dunn …5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 176.