Will try to fend off competition for touches
Irving is set to lead a Buccaneers backfield that also includes Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
Irving figures to get most of the rushing opportunities in Tampa Bay's backfield, though Gainwell is likely to play in passing situations after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season and subsequently signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March. Tucker was used frequently in the red zone last season, leading the Buccaneers with seven rushing touchdowns. Irving saw his rushing touchdown total dip to one in 10 games during his injury-plagued 2025 campaign after scoring eight regular-season rushing touchdowns as a rookie. Despite the competition for touches, Irving maintains the highest ceiling in Tampa Bay's backfield given his success in 2024.
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Baker Mayfield
Another full practice
Mayfield (right thumb) practiced fully Thursday.
Emeka Egbuka
Officially non-participant Thursday
Egbuka (concussion/foot) was deemed a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Bucky Irving
Logs limited practice Thursday
Irving (illness) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Bucky Irving
Back at practice Thursday
Irving (illness) was back at practice Thursday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Working on side Thursday
Egbuka (concussion/foot) was working on the side with a trainer at Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Baker Mayfield
Logs full practice Wednesday
Mayfield (right thumb) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Bucky Irving
Misses Wednesday's practice
Irving (illness) did not practice Wednesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Emeka Egbuka
Misses Wednesday's practice
Egbuka (concussion/foot) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Baker Mayfield
Back at practice, as expected
Mayfield (thumb) was seen participating in Wednesday's practice and was throwing while wearing a glove on his right hand, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Chase McLaughlin
Makes four field goals in Week 6 loss
McLaughlin connected on all four of his field-goal attempts and converted his lone extra-point try during the Buccaneers' 26-19 overtime loss to the Steelers on Sunday.