Bucky Irving Returns, But Sean Tucker’s Role Raises Bigger Questions for the Bucs’ Backfield
Bucky Irving’s return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a long time coming-and when he finally got back on the field, he wasted no time reminding everyone why he was missed. The second-year back logged 80 yards from scrimmage and punched in a touchdown in Sunday’s matchup, giving Tampa Bay a much-needed spark. But while Irving’s presence was a boost, it also came with a cost-and that cost was Sean Tucker.
Let’s rewind a bit. During Irving’s absence, it wasn’t Rachaad White who stepped up as the feature back-it was Tucker.
The undrafted rookie out of Syracuse didn’t just hold his own; he seized the RB1 role. Over the previous four weeks, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 60 rushing yards per game.
He had 52 carries in that span, compared to White’s 40. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident.
Tucker didn’t just run hard-he ran with purpose. He showed burst, vision, and a knack for finding daylight.
He even chipped in through the air, adding a few receptions to his résumé. He was doing everything the Bucs could’ve asked for, and then some.
But with Irving back in the mix, Tucker was suddenly the odd man out again. In Week 13, he logged just two carries and played only nine snaps. That’s a steep drop for a player who had been one of the team’s most effective offensive weapons over the past month.
The snap counts tell the story: Irving led the backfield with 32 snaps, White followed with 23, and Tucker brought up the rear with just nine. That’s a clear shift in the pecking order-and it’s hard to ignore what that says about how the coaching staff views these backs.
Irving’s workload was anything but limited. He had 19 touches and clearly dominated the backfield rotation.
White, meanwhile, saw just two carries but still played 38% of the offensive snaps. Tucker?
He was relegated to a distant RB3 role, despite being the team’s most productive runner in recent weeks.
This isn’t a new storyline for Tucker, either. Last season, he flashed in limited opportunities-averaging 6.2 yards per carry on 50 attempts-but most of that came in garbage time.
When the games have mattered, and when he’s been called upon this year, he’s delivered. But the reward hasn’t followed.
And here’s the kicker: even with Irving back, the Bucs’ ground game didn’t improve. Tampa Bay finished with just 95 rushing yards-their lowest total since Week 8 against the Saints.
That’s a noticeable dip, especially considering the Cardinals came into the game allowing an average of 142 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks. This wasn’t exactly a shutdown run defense they were facing.
In the three games prior, with Tucker and White leading the charge, Tampa Bay rushed for 110 or more yards each time. That’s not a coincidence.
Tucker brought balance to the offense, and his presence helped open things up. Without him, the running attack looked flat.
Now, to be clear-Irving is a talented back, and he’s going to be a key part of Tampa Bay’s offense moving forward. But that doesn’t mean Tucker should be pushed to the margins.
He’s earned more than a handful of snaps. He’s earned a role.
The Bucs need to think long-term here. With White’s future in Tampa uncertain beyond this season, the team will need a reliable back to pair with Irving.
Tucker has already proven he can be that guy. He’s shown he can handle the load, contribute in multiple phases, and give this offense a different gear.
So while it’s great to have Irving back, the Bucs can’t afford to forget what they have in Sean Tucker. He’s not just a depth piece-he’s a difference-maker. And if Tampa wants to keep its offense moving in the right direction, they’ll need to find a way to get him back on the field.