Buccaneers Injured RB Bucky Irving Posts Cryptic Message on Instagram
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Though Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ RB Bucky Irving has already been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Seahawks with shoulder and foot injuries, we got some more clarity on the nature and timeline of these injuries on Sunday morning.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Irving’s shoulder injury is more serious than his foot sprain and he could miss several weeks. Irving suffered a shoulder subluxation that he didn’t report to the team until Tuesday. While he’s already ruled out for this week, he’s not expected back next week against the 49ers, either, and it could linger longer.
Per Greg Auman of Fox Sports, Irving took to Instagram Sunday morning to share some cryptic words. He talks about “God’s toughest battles” and admiring the people “in these pictures [who] describe what pain looks like.” He also mentioned people loving him as a person versus him as a football player more than once.
While he doesn’t address his injury directly, the timing of this post with Schefter’s report is certainly interesting, at the very least. If nothing else, it’s an insight into Irving’s mindset as he’s set to miss a couple of weeks with multiple injuries.
In Irving’s absence, the Buccaneers will turn to RB Rachaad White, who has 108 rushing yards and a touchdown on the year.
Transcript of Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving’s Instagram Post
Mark Taylor/GettyTAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 21: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Brandon Stephens #21 of the New York Jets during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images)
“God gave his toughest battle to his toughest soldiers. Don’t cry for me when the war is over.
I died on the cross yesterday. My eyes open to who is here for me as a football player, and who is here for me as Mar’Keise Bucky Irving…
These people in these pictures describe what pain looks like. I admire these people.
We worry about the wrong things in I’ll come together as a community love one another and follow faith in Jesus name we all gotta come together. This is divine too many different ways. We were about the wrong things in life. We just need to come together and love one another thing is about family 10 times just like. Open and see who’s really there for me as a football player and who is there for me as a person that actually care for me and love me for who I am. Can’t hide no more I gotta open up. I’ve been in this shell for too long. GOD is real.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are Dealing with Catastrophic Injuries
The Buccaneers injury report is a long one. Not only is Irving out, but so is WR Mike Evans, CB Jamel Dean, CB Benjamin Morrison, and S Christian Izien.
The injuries come at a tough time for Tampa Bay, as they’re about to embark on a murderer’s row of opponents. After the Seahawks, the Buccaneers face the 49ers and Lions before getting a brief reprieve against the Saints and Patriots. That break doesn’t last long, however, as after that they face the Bills and Rams.
It’s a brutal schedule, and the Buccaneers need to get healthy fast.
Broncos Get ‘Ominous’ Sounding News Before Jets Game in London
The Denver Broncos are riding high after their win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5, but their good mood was quickly curtailed with the news about starting left guard Ben Powers.
Denver’s win was the first of two victories by road teams taking down the NFL’s last undefeated teams in Week 5, with the New England Patriots following suit against the Buffalo Bills on “Sunday Night Football.” However, there is significant early concern over Powers’ status.
The news comes as the Broncos prepare to face the New York Jets in London in Week 6.
Ben Powers Not Traveling to London With Broncos
Powers played he entire game. He picked up a false start penalty, but the Broncos’ coaching staff did not bench or otherwise pull Powers against the Eagles. The nebulous nature of the issue has added another layer of intrigue to the matter for head coach Sean Payton and Co.
The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel noted on X that the matter “sounds ominous,” given that Powers is not traveling with the team.
“Powers is returning to Denver to be evaluated for a biceps injury he suffered against Philadelphia on Sunday night, according to an injury report the Broncos were required to release because of their travel to London,” Gabriel wrote in a follow-up article on October 5. “There was no immediate information on the severity of the injury, but returning home instead of traveling with the team clearly puts Powers’ status going forward in doubt.”
“Powers played every snap against Philadelphia, but now is facing a potential absence.”
Powers is in his third season with the Broncos. A fourth-round pick (No. 123 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, Powers is signed through 2026 on a four-year, $52 million contract.
Broncos Have Options at LG If Starter Misses
GettyMatt Peart #79 of the Denver Broncos looks to block against the Arizona Cardinals.
Powers has logged three straight seasons with at least 17 games played, putting his streak in jeopardy as well as his availability for the Broncos against the Jets.
The Broncos are not exactly in dire straits without him.
“During training camp, Alex Palczewski was the first man in on the right side, but Matt Peart served as the primary backup on the left side,” Gabriel wrote. “Either could slide into Powers’ spot, and Denver could also look at Alex Forsyth or practice squad veteran Calvin Throckmorton.”
However, entering Week 5, Pro Football Focus graded Powers as the Broncos’ third-best offensive lineman overall. Those grades are subjective and have been polarizing, given that player assignments are not public knowledge.
Still, PFF ranked Powers second behind left tackle Garett Bolles in run blocking. He was fifth behind Palczewski – but ahead of center Luke Wattenberg – in pass protection.
Broncos’ Top-Flight OL Facing Potential Hit Before Jets Game
The Broncos have boasted one of, if not the, best offensive lines for the past two seasons. However, that is when they are whole. Powers has been durable. But the Broncos played four games from Week 3 through 6 in 2024 without right tackle Mike McGlinchey.
They went 3-1 in those games.
Wattenberg missed Weeks 6 through 9. The Broncos went 2-2 without him. The Broncos lost the game that both players missed in Week 6, which was against the Los Angeles Chargers.
