There might finally be light at the end of the tunnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when it comes to injured running back Bucky Irving.
The Buccaneers offense has been without Irving for the last 5 games, since a Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28 due to a variety of injuries, although a shoulder injury has been of the most concern.
“Possibly big Bucs news,” Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud wrote on his official X account on Wednesday, November 12. “RB Bucky Irving is participating in the walk thru practice. G Ben Bredeson also working. Irving has not played since Sept. 28 due to foot and shoulder injuries.”
The Buccaneers are 6-3 headed into a brutal pair of road games coming up with a trip to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 before heading all the way across the country to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.
Irving, who rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, has been sorely missed.
While the Buccaneers have made up the slack at wide receiver with Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan out with injuries, it’s been harder to do that with Rachaad White stepping in for Irving.
“Todd Bowles said it was good to see Bucky Irving on the practice field but he was limited and it was just a walk-through,” Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith wrote on his official X account. “Needs to see Irving in a full-speed practice before making any proclamations about a timetable for his return.”
While Irving’s follow up too a bravura rookie campaign has fallen flat to this point, he has the advantage of playing on a team that’s in first place in the NFC South Division — with a 2-game lead at that — and could very well be a dark horse contender if everyone comes back healthy over the next month who has been injured.
Right now, the perception of Irving is that rookie year was just a flash in the pan.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon called Irving the “Most Disappointing Player” on the roster in 2025.
“After averaging 5.4 yards per rush as a rookie, Irving has seen that number decline to 3.3 in 2025,” Gagnon wrote on October 24. “Only one qualified back is below that. He’s also yet to score a rushing touchdown.”
Irving had a season high 165 yards of total offense agains the Eagles — 15 carries for 63 yards and 5 receptions for 102 yards. That kind of production can flip games like the 28-23 home loss to the New England Patriots in Week 10.
Right now, it seems like the only legitimate weapon 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield has on offense he can rely on is 2025 first round pick (No. 19 overall) and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Egbuka, possibly the frontrunner to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, leads the Buccaneers and is ninth in the NFL in receiving with 40 receptions for 677 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Buccaneers have also gotten a boost lately from their final pick in the 2025 draft with rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson.
“There are just two rookies across the NFL this season with 250+ receiving yards and 4+ receiving touchdowns through Week 10 … Both are Buccaneers drafted by Jason Licht,” Buccaneers Communications wrote on its official X account on November 10. “Emeka Egbuka (pick No. 19) & Tez Johnson (No. 235).”
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, has made a bold statement as he prepares for the second half of the 2025 NFL season: the bye week wasn’t just about rest, it was about mental preparation and recharging to come back stronger than ever. Kelce, one of the NFL’s most dominant and reliable players, made it clear that his focus is sharper than ever and that he’s fully ready to lead the Chiefs to even greater heights in the coming weeks.
In his most recent remarks, Kelce said, “The bye week wasn’t just about rest. It was about resetting my mind. I came back ready to crush the second half of the season. The real work starts now, and I’m more focused than ever.”
This declaration comes at a pivotal time for the Chiefs, who are looking to maintain their dominance in the AFC and make a deep playoff run.
While the bye week is often seen as a necessary pause for players to recover physically, Kelce’s comments reveal just how important the mental aspect of the game is. Known for his leadership and high performance, Kelce understands that the grind of an NFL season can take a toll on both the body and the mind. That’s why, rather than just using the time to rest his body, Kelce focused on mental recharging.
“I needed to reset my mind, get my focus back, and remind myself of why I love this game,” Kelce explained. “Now, I’m ready to put all my energy into the second half and make sure I’m doing everything I can to help this team win.”
With the Chiefs’ eyes set on the playoffs, Kelce’s newfound mindset could be the boost they need to finish the season strong. As one of the best tight ends in NFL history, Kelce’s leadership is crucial for a team that is gearing up for some of its most challenging matchups. His ability to remain focused and locked in will likely play a pivotal role in determining the Chiefs’ postseason success.
His comments also emphasize the importance of self-care for professional athletes. While the physical demands of the game are taxing, the mental fortitude required to maintain peak performance over a long season is just as critical. Kelce’s decision to take time to reset his mind speaks volumes about his commitment to both his own well-being and the success of his team.
The Chiefs will face some tough competition as they push toward another Super Bowl run. However, with Kelce’s leadership, both on and off the field, and his renewed focus, the team seems more prepared than ever to rise to the occasion.
As Kelce puts it, “The real work starts now.” And with his mind sharp and his body ready, the Chiefs can expect nothing less than the best from their star tight end.