Bucky Irving's New Return Timeline Hits Hard and Nobody In Tampa Is Ready

Alright, Emerald City, listen up. While we're all grinding and getting ready for what's next for our own squads, sometimes you gotta peek at what's brewing around the league. And let me tell you, there's some wild news out of Tampa Bay that just dropped. Remember all that talk about Bucky Irving's shoulder being totally fine, ready for training camp? Yeah, scratch that. Bucs coach Todd Bowles just confirmed Irving's return has been pushed way back, now expected sometime in the summer or even the fall. Yikes, right?

Irving's Shoulder Drama: A Major Shift

This is a total 180 from what we heard at the combine, where a Bucs source was all, "nothing to worry about!" Now, it's a completely different story. For a team trying to find its footing, a star running back having his return timeline get all messed up like this has to be a gut punch. You wonder how much this shifts their early season plans, even if we're just talking about OTA practices right now. Every snap, every drill counts for these guys, and missing a key piece for even longer than expected? That's a problem.

Not All Bad News For the Bucs

Now, it's not all doom and gloom for Tampa Bay. They did get some good news on the health front. Cody Mauch, for example, is full-go, knee rehab officially over. That's a relief for their offensive line. And talk about toughness, their 2024 draft pick, receiver Jalen McMillan, is getting major props for being "unbelievable" in that department. Bucs officials thought they snagged a second-round talent in the third round with him, so that's a nice win. Plus, new defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson, a hard-nosed player with a Rams Super Bowl ring, is already making his presence felt, reportedly "blessing" their defense. He was out there at the first open OTA practice shedding blocking sleds and attacking dummies, with coach Bowles even joking about the "winter" conditions. Good to see some guys hungry.

The League Is Watching Who Gets Primetime

But let's not forget the bigger picture. The Bucs are also planning two joint practices with the Jets, with Aaron Glenn, the Jets' head coach, being good buddies with Bowles. Always interesting to see teams link up like that. And speaking of the Jets, remember how they and the Raiders didn't snag a single primetime game on the 2026 schedule? That's a brutal reality check, a sign that "the league stops paying attention to you." It just shows how quickly things can change in the NFL landscape. We're all watching how teams are perceived, and if you're not getting those marquee slots, it says something about where the league thinks you stand. So, while we're hyped for what's ahead here in the PNW, it's clear the Bucs have their own drama unfolding. With Irving's health now a major question mark stretching into the season, and other players stepping up, it's going to be a wild ride down in Tampa. You gotta wonder how quickly they can adjust and if those new faces can carry the load. We'll be keeping an eye on it from up here, you know we will!

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