Bucs' Licht optimistic about Bucky Irving's return ahead of training camp
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 19, 2026, 10:50 PM
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht provided an update on running back Bucky Irving, suggesting he could return to play in just a couple of weeks. This timeline is more optimistic than earlier projections, which indicated that Irving would not be fully recovered from shoulder surgery until later in the summer or fall. Irving's potential return ahead of training camp is a positive development for the Buccaneers as he teams up with Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield. Irving previously missed seven games last season and aims to regain his 2024 form, where he rushed for over 1,100 yards.
- •Licht believes Irving could be ready in a couple of weeks.
- •Irving made a recent return to practice.
- •Previous estimates placed Irving's recovery into late summer or fall.
- •Irving aims to bounce back from a challenging 2025 season.
- •A strong backfield duo with Irving and Gainwell is expected.
- 11:41 AMYahoo Sports — Jason Licht: If we were playing in a couple weeks, Bucky Irving would be ready
- 10:50 PMYahoo Sports — Bucs' Licht Gives Expectations for When Bucky Irving Will Be Ready to Play
"Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles raised some concern about running back Bucky Irving's fitness when he said he thinks Irving will be ready to return from a shoulder injury in the "summer or fall," but a couple of developments in June have painted a better picture.
"General manager Jason Licht suggests the explosive running back could return weeks ahead of schedule, potentially solidifying Tampa Bay’s backfield dynamic just in time for training camp.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 22, 2026, 11:41 AMJason Licht: If we were playing in a couple weeks, Bucky Irving would be ready
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles raised some concern about running back Bucky Irving's fitness when he said he thinks Irving will be ready to return from a shoulder injury in the "summer or fall," but a couple of developments in June have painted a better picture.
- Yahoo SportsJun 19, 2026, 10:50 PMBucs' Licht Gives Expectations for When Bucky Irving Will Be Ready to Play
General manager Jason Licht suggests the explosive running back could return weeks ahead of schedule, potentially solidifying Tampa Bay’s backfield dynamic just in time for training camp.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Oct 22, 2026, 7:55 PM2 key players held out from Panthers' practice on Thursday
NFL•Oct 22, 2026, 7:41 PMBaker Mayfield is confident his thumb is strong enough to play
NFL•Oct 22, 2026, 6:47 PMFalcons DC Jeff Ulbrich calls 49ers WR a 'walking Hall of Famer'
NFL•Oct 22, 2026, 6:30 PMAntoine Winfield Jr.'s Week 7 status remains uncertain
NFL•Oct 22, 2026, 5:00 PMWhy Giants’ J.J. McCarthy thinks he can thrive as a starter this time around
NFL•Oct 22, 2026, 1:35 PM‘Never seen this happen’ – Ben Roethlisberger has spotted ‘unusual’ Aaron Rodgers issue