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By Aaron Becker
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving had an electric rookie season.
However, he was unable to find similar magic in 2025 as he battled through a multitude of injuries.
Irving believes he learned a lot during his down season, though, and thinks he will be even better because of it.
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"I found out a lot about myself last year because I've been playing football since I was four and that was my first time like ever being away from the game for being hurt," Irving said. "At the end of the day, I learned a lot and I came out even stronger."
The Buccaneers are surely hoping that's the case. Irving took the league by storm in 2024, rushing for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns while also reeling in 47 catches for another 392 yards.
Those numbers took a massive hit last season, as he finished the year with just 588 yards and one touchdown on the ground in 10 games while dealing with both ankle and shoulder injuries.
If Irving is fully healthy once again and can return to his 2024 form or even better this season, he could establish himself as one of the next great running backs and even earn himself a nice payday in the near future.
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As for worrying about another injury occurring again, Irving acknowledges it's just all part of the game.
"We play a physical game. We play the running back position. We get banged up every week. At some point, some adversity's gonna come in life or playing this game," Irving continued. "At the end of the day, you just got to know how to go about it."
A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Irving played college football at Minnesota (2021) and Oregon (2022-23), where he rushed for 2,937 yards and 20 touchdowns.
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