Will Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin play in Week 11? Latest injury updates on Bucs stars originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are short-handed at both wide receiver and running back thanks to the injuries to Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving.
Irving hasn’t suited up since Week 4 due to a shoulder injury. Irving has also dealt with a toe issue in that span, but the shoulder injury is the more serious issue.
As for Godwin, he hasn’t played since Week 5 due to a fibula injury. Godwin also missed the first three games of the 2025 campaign while he recovered from a dislocated ankle suffered in 2024.
Here’s what we know about their chances of returning to the Buccaneers’ lineup for the Week 11 game against the Buffalo Bills.
FRIDAY UPDATE: Head coach Todd Bowles revealed that Irving has officially been ruled out for Week 11.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Like Wednesday, Irving was once again a limited participant in practice on Thursday.
We would assume he’ll need to turn in a full session on Friday in order to play.
END OF UPDATE
THURSDAY UPDATE: Irving was once again taking part in practice on Thursday.
We don’t have his official level of participation yet, but Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times believes he has a chance to play.
END OF UPDATE
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Irving was officially a limited participant in practice, so he’s now got a shot to play against the Bills.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: We have some hope!
According to The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud, Irving is taking part in the team’s walkthrough on Wednesday, which amounts to the first participation Irving has seen at practice since suffering his shoulder injury.
“Possibly big Bucs news. RB Bucky Irving is participating in the walk thru practice,” Stroud reported.
It isn’t clear what Irving’s level of participation is right now, as the Bucs haven’t released their Wednesday injury report yet.
However, any semblance of practice participation for Irving would be an upgrade and a huge step toward his return to the field.
END OF UPDATE
The expectation is that Irving will not play in Week 11, according to The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud and FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.
“Folks I heard what Greg heard. No expectation right now of Godwin, Irving or Reddick returning to practice this week,” Stroud reported. “I asked about Irving twice. Says he has to prove he can take a hit on his shoulder.”
Adding more to the pessimism surrounding Irving’s status for Sunday, Stroud says he is not expecting the running back to practice on Wednesday.
FRIDAY UPDATE: The Buccaneers have ruled Godwin out for Sunday’s game against the Bills.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Godwin was officially a limited participant for the second consecutive day.
We’ll see if Godwin can turn in a full practice on Friday and get himself cleared to return.
END OF UPDATE
THURSDAY UPDATE: Godwin is out at practice on Thursday, marking the second straight day he is taking part.
Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times thinks Godwin could play this week.
END OF UPDATE
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Godwin was surprisingly a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, which opens the door for him to return this week.
As is the case with Irving, Stroud reports that Godwin is not expected to practice on Wednesday or play this week.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has also reported that Godwin could miss multiple more games, as the team will likely hold him out until late November or December.
“So, him coming back with the injury last year as well, and then he aggravated his fibula early in the year, they just don’t want to press it with him,” Fowler said of Godwin.
“They’re thinking late November, December with Chris Godwin, so we’ll take it week to week with him,” Fowler added.
If Fowler’s timeline holds, we may not see Godwin until Week 13 or 14.