Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was unable to fully participate in OTAs on Tuesday as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
Irving worked on the side with running backs coach Skip Peete before heading inside the team facility with Buccaneers vice president of sports medicine and performance Bobby Slater.
Several others were either not cleared medically because of offseason procedures and lingering injuries or other issues for the voluntary organized team activities. That group included veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea, linebackers Al-Quadin Muhammad and YaYa Diaby and offensive lineman Luke Goedeke.
Head coach Todd Bowles didn’t provide a clear timeframe for Irving’s return to the field.
Rookies held out for health reasons or general precautions included Keionte Scott, DaMonte Capehart, Miles Killebrew and J.J. Roberts.
Irving, 23, missed seven games last season with shoulder and knee injuries. He ran for 588 yards and one touchdown and caught 30 passes for 277 yards and three scores in 10 games (nine starts).
As a rookie fourth-round draft pick in 2024, Irving racked up 1,514 yards from scrimmage (including 1,122 rushing) with eight touchdowns.
The Buccaneers have said Irving is expected to be ready for training camp but have not provided details about his shoulder surgery.
Tampa Bay signed Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year contract in free agency to back up Irving. The depth chart also includes Sean Tucker and Josh Williams.
–Field Level Media
