Match day updates: Bucky Irving Expected to play in Week 14by Ian Rapoport.
Every season in fantasy football, players get picked up on the waiver wire and end up being added to the league championship. This season, that player tampa bay buccaneers Running back Bucky Irving. Irving replaced the injured Rashard White and never looked back, strongly dominating Tampa Bay's backfield. The Buccaneers are in a tight race in the NFC South and will be hoping their talented running back can come back healthy for the rest of the season.
Bucky Irving injury status
According to Buccaneers team reporter Brianna Dix.running back Bucky Irving has been officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders. Irving has been dealing with hip and back injuries this week, limiting his ability to practice. The Buccaneers' running backs did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but participated on a limited basis Friday. His status remains uncertain, but Irving practicing on Friday is a positive sign for his status against the Raiders. Irving will be worth keeping an eye on Sunday morning. The Buccaneers will open the game against the Raiders at 1:00 PM ET.
What Bucky Irving's injury means for fantasy football
Irving is one of the best waiver wire pickups in fantasy football this season. This season, the Buccaneers reverted to RB16 in PPR leagues and became RB8 starting in Week 6. Irving has been producing at a high level recently, posting consecutive 27.5 point performances. last week vs. carolina panthersIrving had 25 carries for 125 yards and one touchdown.
If the Buccaneers can take an early lead against the Raiders, the script of the game could lead to another big performance from Irving. The Raiders are allowing just 16.3 fantasy points per game to the 16th-ranked running back, while giving up the sixth-most rushing yards more than expected. Irving, on the other hand, has been doing well this season, with the eighth-most rushing yards per attempt over expectations.
The Raiders' defense has played well against the run this season, but the Buccaneers have one of the best offenses when it comes to running the football. They are 4th in rushing yards per play and 9th in EPA per rush.
If Irving plays, he's clearly a must-start in fantasy lineups. Even if he can't go, the same goes for Rashard White. Sean Tucker could be a potential flex option as well as a name to consider. From a volume standpoint, White has proven to be effective as the offense's primary ball carrier. Back in Week 6, Tucker gained 136 yards on 14 carries.
Without Irving, White would be the first choice, but the Buccaneers have effectively split carries between running backs this season. Since Week 6, Irving has completed just 43.6 percent of his offensive rushing attempts, while White has completed 30.8 percent. Either way, we should expect the Buccaneers to use two running backs, whether it's Irving and White or White and Tucker.
