Bucky Irving DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reports that although Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, he's trending well. The next two days will be crucial for Irving when it comes to his status for the Week 8 divisional game against the Atlanta Falcons. Irving has been Tampa's most productive back to this point in the season in his first year in the NFL, but his current injury and a bad matchup against Atlanta have his fantasy stock on the decline for this weekend. The 22-year-old will remain involved in a three-man committee backfield along Rachaad White and Sean Tucker when he's healthy, limiting his fantasy appeal as an upside RB3/flex play for the foreseeable future. If Irving is out or limited against Atlanta, Tucker would become a much more intriguing flex option for fantasy managers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) was absent from a second straight practice this week on Thursday for a toe injury that could definitely impact Sunday's Week 8 contest against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Irving's status will likely come down to whether he can practice on Friday. If he cannot, he'll likely be ruled out, which would pave the way for Rachaad White and Sean Tucker to split backfield touches on Sunday. Fantasy managers that have been using the 22-year-old Irving in recent weeks need to start formulating a backup plan, while Tucker wouldn't be a bad waiver-wire pickup as a streaming flex play if Irving is out. In Week 6 with White inactive, Tucker had a season-high 14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown and also caught three passes for 56 yards and another score.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. The Buccaneers did not actually practice on Wednesday after losing to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, so Irving's status was an estimation. We should have a better idea of whether the 22-year-old will be able to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in the next two days. In Rachaad White's return on Monday, Irving played 36% of the offensive snaps to White's 47% and had 12 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. White had four more touches and scored twice through the air. Irving should remain involved in Tampa's backfield moving forward, giving him RB3/flex appeal on a weekly basis, but Sean Tucker could see more run this Sunday if Irving is limited or out.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving had another productive performance in the team's Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens despite the return of Rachaad White to this crowded backfield. Irving had nine carries for 23 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions (three targets) for 54 yards through the air. It's the second straight week the impressive rookie RB has scored on the ground. However, White led the backfield with 10 carries for a team-high 40 rushing yards and also caught six passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back from injury. Meanwhile, Sean Tucker also had six touches as the Bucs involved all three backs in the 41-31 loss. White's return surely will cap the 22-year-old Irving's fantasy upside, but as long as he remains involved on the ground and through the air, he'll at least have RB3/flex appeal on a weekly basis.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving could be in line for another start this week. The Bucs are likely going to be without Rachaad White (foot) who is currently questionable. However, it wouldn't be shocking to see the Bucs hold out White given how well Irving and Sean Tucker played last week. Irving rushed 14 times for 81 yards and a touchdown in the win over the New Orleans Saints. The rookie back continues to impress each week. He has earned more carries and possibly a chance at the full-time gig at some point. Although, Irving won't have an easy challenge against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. A defense that has done extremely well against running backs this season. Irving should be able to carve out low-end flex value despite a tough matchup.