By james art All eyes on Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting core after Mike Evans and Chris Godwin left Monday Night Football with significant injuries. But on Wednesday, the team added a new player to its injury report for Atlanta Falcons fans to keep an eye on ahead of Week 8.
According to the Buccaneers injury report, rookie Bucky Irving did not participate in Wednesday’s practice at all. He joined a group of four players who did not practice Wednesday for Tampa Bay.
The other three were Evans, tight end Payne Durham and Tyky Smith.
Here is today’s injury report for the Bucs and Falcons. Bucky Irving (toe) will be one to watch. pic.twitter.com/OJLbaUIem6
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 23, 2024
Irving is averaging less than 10 rushing attempts per game. However, he will still be a significant loss for the Buccaneers if he is unable to play in Week 8.
The 22-year-old leads Tampa Bay with 351 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns in seven games. His 5.2 yards per carry average is 1.5 yards per punt better than veteran Rachaad White, who has 227 yards on the ground this season.
Irving also has more carries than White, but White was inactive in Week 6.
The Buccaneers will be without Godwin in the rematch against the Falcons. Tampa Bay placed Godwin on injured reserve with a sprained left ankle he suffered Monday. Godwin has already undergone surgery and could be out for the rest of the season.
FOX Sports’ Greg Aumann wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he doesn’t expect Evans to go on injured reserve. If that happens, then the Buccaneers will be without both receivers for at least four games.
But it would be very surprising if Evans plays against the Falcons in Week 8. ESPN’s Jenna Lane wrote that the Buccaneers may not get Evans back until the team has a Week 11 bye.
Evans suffered a hamstring injury on Monday.
Therefore, the Buccaneers cannot afford to lose another offensive playmaker, even if he fills a smaller role like Irving.
If Irving can’t play, White could have a much bigger role against the Falcons. Tampa Bay also has 23-year-old running back Sean Tucker on their roster. Tucker is averaging 8.2 yards per carry on 21 attempts this season.
In the first Falcons-Buccaneers game this season on Thursday Night Football during Week 5, the two teams combined for 66 points. If this is another offensive barnstormer, the Falcons could have a clear advantage with so many Tampa Bay offensive playmakers potentially on the sideline.