Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving carried 21 times for 165 yards and 1 TD in Thursday night’s win over the Cowboys. He added another 10 yards and a score on 2 receptions. Irving certainly benefited from a woeful Dallas defense, but he was the best player on the field in this one. He beat CB Reddy Steward to the pylon for a 5-yard TD reception in the second quarter and then eluded multiple defenders in the backfield before finding daylight and running 72 yards early in the third. Irving iced the game with a 22-yard gash with 1 minute left.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Track Goal-Line Usage
Irving’s role has been difficult to define this season. The big Week 5 performance followed a disappointing Week 4 that saw Irving miss a target and lose a 2-yard TD to Sean Tucker and a 10-yard TD to Kenneth Gainwell. In fact, he played just 1 of 8 snaps inside the 10-yard line through the first four weeks.
Against Dallas, Irving caught 4 of 10 touches and 2 scores. Tucker did steal a carry from the Cowboys’ 1-yard line, but he was stuffed.
It’s hard to say what the Bucs will do near the goal line, but at least Irving is an option there adding to his weekly upside.
Consider him a volatile RB2 for now.