Bucky Irving Is 'Ready To Go' And Nobody In The NFC Is Ready For It

Alright, Seattle faithful, gather 'round, because there's some major buzz out of the NFC that we gotta talk about. Remember all the hand-wringing over Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving's shoulder injury? Coach Todd Bowles had everyone thinking we wouldn't see him until "summer or fall." Well, scrap that timeline, because General Manager Jason Licht just dropped a bomb that flips the whole script on its head! This guy isn't just "almost there" he's ready. Like, *ready-ready*.

The Scare That Had Everyone Holding Their Breath

Let's rewind a bit to when Coach Bowles first talked about Irving's fitness. The words "summer or fall" hung in the air, sparking worries for Tampa Bay's run game. Missing a talent like Irving for any significant time is brutal, and after he already sat out seven games in 2025, you can bet the Bucs' faithful were sweating. They saw their rushing yards plummet from fourth to a dismal 21st last season without him. That's a huge drop-off, people! When you're talking about a difference like that, every single player's health matters, especially for a key back.

Jason Licht Just Called "Fall" Way Earlier Than Expected

But hold up, because June br

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ought some much-needed good news. Irving actually got on the practice field before the Bucs' offseason program wrapped up. And then General Manager Jason Licht went on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast and clarified everything. He basically said what we were all thinking: that "fall" Bowles mentioned? Yeah, Licht views that as training camp! This isn't some distant future we're talking about. Licht was crystal clear, saying Irving is "almost there right now." He even doubled down, stating, "He’s fine. In fact, I think if we were playing here in a couple of weeks, he’d be ready to go." That's a huge sigh of relief for them, and maybe a little "uh-oh" for the rest of the NFC. So, what does this mean? It means Bucky Irving is tracking for a full return way sooner than many feared. A healthy Irving, alongside a strong year from free agent pickup Kenneth Gainwell, would be a massive step for Tampa Bay to rebound their ground game. Look, the league is always full of surprises, and this one's a big one for the Buccaneers' offense. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled as training camps open, because if Licht is right, and Irving is truly "ready to go," then the NFC better be ready for a vastly improved run game out of Tampa. Get hyped, the season is just around the corner!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.