Sep 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) runs the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving hasn't played in a game for the franchise since Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, missing contests due to reported shoulder and foot injuries.

But now, with talk that he's been at practice this week and a return nearing, there's some mystery as to what might be keeping him out further. And that's where I want to stress that there's no certainty here about what's going on and we want to be VERY respectful about what he's going through.

The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reported this on Friday: "Bucky Irving needed some extra support after becoming injured and being away from his team for the first time in his career, according to people close to the situation."

That followed a quote from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio on-air about "something" he heard that about Irving he was going to tell Chris Simms off-air. Why he had to say that out loud on the record, I don't know. But that's where we're at, and it may mean Irving won't be back to face the Los Angeles Rams this weekend.

We hope that Irving is OK and that we'll get more information from head coach Todd Bowles that clears up any speculation. UPDATE: He did, see below.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles spoke about the Bucky Irving injury update

Bowles said he "didn't handle [the injury] well." But he could play next week, not in Week 12.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Bucky Irving injury update: Bucs RB needed 'extra support'

Reporting by Charles Curtis, For The Win / For The Win

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect