![\"Buccaneers](\"https:\/\/news2.watchtowatch.top\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2239000408.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving could play for the first time in six weeks Sunday.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Tampa Bay Buccaneers\u00a0seem to be getting two crucial offensive weapons back and not a moment too soon.<\/p>\n
Running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin each returned to practice, putting them in line to return for the Bucs\u2019 upcoming potential Super Bowl preview against the\u00a0Buffalo Bills\u00a0on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Buccaneers (6-3) have lost two of three and are averaging just 18.3 points per game in that span. They managed just 258 yards of total offense in their 28-23 home loss to the\u00a0New England Patriots\u00a0on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Godwin has played two games while recovering from his catastrophic broken ankle last season and also while dealing with a fibula injury. He hasn\u2019t played since the Bucs\u2019 38-35 win over the\u00a0Seattle Seahawks\u00a0on Oct. 5 and has just six catches for 52 yards this year.<\/p>\n
The Bucs still lead the NFC South by 1.5 games over the\u00a0Carolina Panthers.<\/p>\n
Irving (foot\/shoulder) has not played since Tampa Bay\u2019s 31-25 loss to the\u00a0Philadelphia Eagles\u00a0on Sept. 28 but was the first to come back to practice Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The fact he is getting close is great news for the Bucs, since Irving is still third on the team in all-purpose yards (430) even though he\u2019s missed the past five games.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was good to have him back out there, and it\u2019s the first step to work his way back,\u201d Bowles said. \u201cHe\u2019s going to have to take a hit at some point. I mean, he\u2019s lifting and everything, he\u2019s running, but it\u2019s a progression and we\u2019ll see how he does.<\/p>\n
Rachaad White has been filling in as Tampa Bay\u2019s RB1 while Irving has been out, and Tampa Bay has averaged just 80.4 rushing-yards per game over the past five. The Bucs had averaged 124 ground yards per game before Irving\u2019s injury, with the second-year back accounting for a team-high 59.3 rushing yards per game.<\/p>\n
Staying balanced is integral to Tampa Bay\u2019s success, especially while playing against the\u00a0Bills. Buffalo ranks 30th in the\u00a0NFL\u00a0in run defense (147.6 rushing-yards against per game), and it just was gashed for 197 rushing yards in its 30-13 loss to the\u00a0Miami Dolphins\u00a0on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Godwin is a trickier injury due to the nature of his injury, though Bucs coach Todd Bowles did address Godwin\u2019s ailment Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the fibula,\u201d Bowles said, according to Joe Bucs Fan. \u201cHe\u2019s working his way back. He\u2019s making good strides and we\u2019ll continue to work with him and see how he goes.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s running, yes. He\u2019s definitely running. \u2026 I wish I could tell you [if it is a pain tolerance issue]. I really do.\u201d<\/p>\n
That Godwin was back at practice, and earned a limited distinction, is a good sign based on what Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bucs are hopeful Godwin will be ready for the stretch run, ensuring he has no setbacks,\u201d Fowler reported, while stating the ninth-year wideout would not play in Buffalo. \u201cThere\u2019s some level of mystery surrounding this one, but the team is being careful with him and will see how he responds over the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The New Orleans Saints got a victory entering their bye week, and the latest AFC news sparks another, different sort of win for them with the week off the football field. A trade they made earlier this year looks like a triumph when it comes to value in the short-term, and potential long-term as well.<\/p>\n
According to reports, veteran defensive lineman Khalen Saunders is\u00a0headed to waivers. The Jaguars released him on Thursday morning. Saunders appeared in just two total games for Jacksonville and totaled three tackles after joining the team in a trade with the Saints.<\/p>\n
Losing Erik McCoy was a massive blow to the upside of the Saints offense. That being said, the return in the Saunders trade has actually played well since entering the starting lineup. Via Pro Football Focus, Fortner has recorded a 76.7 overall grade – good for 8th in the NFL at the center position. Additionally, his pass protection has been elite with an 82.7 grade (3rd in the NFL at center).<\/p>\n
The top NFL centers in Week 10, according to PFSN’s Player OL Impact Metric \u2935<\/p>\n
86.8 | Tanor Bortolini, Colts
83.6 | Drew Dalman, Bears
81.3 | Coleman Shelton, Rams<\/p>\n
\u2014 PFSN (@PFSN365)\u00a0November 12, 2025<\/p>\n
“Fortner trade was a good and quietly important move for the Saints. Great insurance policy at center and — so far — has kept the offense from cratering the way it has in the past when McCoy got hurt.”<\/p>\n
When the deal happened, some fans weren’t happy with trading the veteran defender in Saunders, but it has ultimately made a lot more sense for New Orleans’ side. Saunders’ snaps were going to decrease with the emergence of Bryan Bresee and the presence of Nathan Shepherd.<\/p>\n
Plus, the Saints had just invested in rookie DT Vernon Broughton during the draft. He suffered a season-ending injury early in the season, but that was impossible to predict for the Saints. As for Fortner’s role, he provided backup depth at every interior OL position.<\/p>\n
Considering how many offensive line injuries the Saints have dealt with this season, that has become vital for them. With him playing well now, it seems like this admission from the Jaguars proves New Orleans made the correct decision in moving on from Saunders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving could play for the first time in six weeks Sunday. The\u00a0Tampa Bay Buccaneers\u00a0seem to be getting two crucial offensive weapons back and not a moment too soon….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t