Bucky Irving: College| Injury| Highlights| Performance Week 12

Mar’Keise “Bucky” Irving has rapidly become one of the most talked-about young running backs in football, thanks to a blend of elite explosiveness, pass-catching ability, and toughness. From his college days at Minnesota and Oregon to making waves in his rookie NFL season, Irving has proven that he’s more than just hype. In this article, we’ll trace his college achievements, review his injury history, highlight his top plays, and break down his performance in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season.

Early Life & College Career

High School & Recruitment

• Bucky Irving attended Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, Illinois. He amassed 3,264 rushing yards in his high school career.

• After high school, Irving committed to the University of Minnesota where he began his college football journey.

Minnesota (2021)

• As a true freshman at Minnesota in 2021, he rushed 133 times for 699 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.

• He also made some impact in the passing game, though less than in his later seasons. His yards per carry were respectable, showing early signs of efficiency.

Transfer to Oregon & Development (2022-2023)

After one season at Minnesota, Irving transferred to the University of Oregon, where his game took off significantly.

2022 Season (Oregon Ducks)

• Rush attempts: approx. 156 carries, yielding 1,058 rushing yards (~6.8 yards per carry) with 8 rushing touchdowns.

• Receiving: 31 catches for ~299 yards and 3 touchdowns.

• A standout performance came in the Holiday Bowl where he rushed for 149 yards on just 13 carries (11.5 ypc) with two touchdowns. That attention-grabbing game helped cement his reputation as a threat both in between the tackles and in space.

2023 Season (Senior Year at Oregon)

• He again crossed 1,000 rushing yards, putting up 1,180 yards on 186 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns, averaging ~6.3 yards per rush.

• Pass catching was also a strength: 56 receptions for 413 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. He was among the FBS leaders for running backs in receptions.

• He earned multiple honors: All-Pac-12 first team (coaches, AP, Pro Football Focus, etc.), and an Academic All-America team selection.

Skills & Play Style in College

From his collegiate career we can see Irving’s skillset clearly:

• Explosiveness: He had multiple long runs, high yards-per-carry games. He could burst through gaps and accelerate in open field. College Sports Network+1

• Versatility: Not just a runner; his receiving game improved significantly, making him a dual threat.

• Playmaking in big games: Bowl games, conference matchups, etc. He often delivered when stakes were higher.

Entry into the NFL & Rookie Season

• Bucky Irving was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, coming out of Oregon.

• He began his NFL career splitting time with Rachaad White but gradually earned more usage as the season progressed.

Rookie Stats Overview (2024)

• Rushing: 1,122 yards on 207 attempts, 8 rushing touchdowns.

• Receiving: 47 receptions for 392 yards.

• Yards per carry: ~5.4, which is very efficient for a rookie back with a heavy workload.

• From scrimmage (rushing + receiving), his total yardage placed him at the top among rookies in 2024.

Injury History & Durability

One of the biggest questions for any running back, especially one who takes many hits like Irving, is durability. Let’s review what is known from his injury history.

NFL Injuries

• In 2024, Irving had several “questionable” designations:

  • Hamstring strain: there was a report in Week 4.

  • Toe injuries: occurred around Weeks 8 and 9.

  • Hip / back concerns: toward the latter part of the season. He was listed as questionable in games due to back/hip issues.

• Notably, despite these issues, he didn’t miss significant game time during 2024. He played through pain, although his performance in some games may have been affected.

• After the end of the season, fantasy-football reports and club updates noted that he was “active” in games even when dealing with hip/back designations.

College Injuries

• No major injuries in reported records that caused long absences during his time at Minnesota or Oregon. His college stats show mostly uninterrupted seasons, which helped him build confidence, durability, and production.

Concerns & Outlook

• The fact that Irving has been able to carry a load, especially toward the second half of his rookie season, while managing hip/back/toe issues is impressive. However, durability remains a question mark because running backs taking many carries are prone to wear and tear.

• Usage in special teams (kickoff returns etc.) could heighten injury risk; in one game versus the Panthers, he sustained a hip injury returning a kickoff yet continued to play.

Highlights & Key Games

Irving’s rookie season is filled with highlight performances. Here are a few that stand out:

• Week 6 vs. New Orleans Saints: He had over 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

• Week 13 vs. Carolina Panthers: A career-day in terms of rushing + receiving; earned the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

• Week 17: Another big game with high scrimmage yards.

• PFWA All‐Rookie Team: Recognition of his consistency and high output across the season.

These performances show a trend: as the season advances, Irving becomes more central in Tampa Bay’s offense, trusted with more touches, and more opportunities to impact both as a runner and receiver.

Week 12 Performance (vs. New York Giants)

Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season was a defining moment for Bucky Irving. Facing the New York Giants, Irving delivered a performance that underscored his dual-threat nature and value to the Buccaneers.

Game Snapshot

• Final Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New York Giants 30-7.

• Location: MetLife Stadium. It was an away game for Tampa Bay.

Irving’s Numbers

• Scrimmage yards: 152 yards from scrimmage (both rushing + receiving).

• Rushing yards: ~87 yards on the ground.

• Receiving yards: 64 yards through the air, with multiple catches.

• Touchdown: He scored a rushing touchdown in that game.

Key Plays & Impact

• Big Receiving Plays: He had six catches in that game, showing his effectiveness out of the backfield.

• Long Gains: A notable long run or catch helped shift field position and momentum. For example, he had a 56-yard rush in that game that “got Tampa Bay out of trouble deep in their own territory.”

• Balanced Threat: His mix of rushing and receiving in that game posed dual problems for the Giants’ defense. If they keyed up on his rushes, he found targets; if they played him in coverage, he found seams on the ground.

Why Week 12 was Important

• It was a statement game: Tampa Bay was coming off some inconsistent stretch, and Irving’s breakout in both the running and catching game reaffirmed his role as a cornerstone of their offense.

• It showed durability and toughness: performing at a high level against an NFL defense, catching balls, taking hits, running between the tackles, etc.

• It elevated his fantasy and media profile: performances like that tend to generate trust from coaches and usage in important situations.

Comparative Analysis: College vs. Rookie Season

How does Irving’s Week 12 game and his rookie stats compare to his college production? Let’s draw some parallels.

The transition from college to the NFL typically sees a decrease in yards per carry as defenses are tougher; maintaining even a 5+ YPC is seen as very good. Irving has held up well, especially in key games like Week 12.

Injury Concerns & Risk Management

As noted above, Irving has had some injury flags but nothing that has yet derailed his availability in the NFL. Here are what to watch moving forward:

1. Hip & Back: These are areas that can become chronic. He played through a hip injury after a kickoff return vs. the Panthers and was listed questionable in subsequent weeks due to back/hip issues.

2. Toe Injuries and Hamstring Strain: As a runner who makes cuts, accelerations, etc., toe and hamstring issues can hamper explosiveness and cause hesitation or performance drops. Irving had questionable designations for toe injuries around Weeks 8-9, and a hamstring issue in Week 4.

3. Usage Load: The more carries, the more risk. In college he handled a heavy workload; in the NFL he has carried more as the season has advanced. Managing rest, recovery, and limiting unnecessary exposure (e.g. on special teams) may be crucial for longevity.

4. Playing Through Pain: While admirable, playing through injuries may lead to longer-term issues. The question becomes: is his performance being suppressed because of pain? Week 12 suggests he was very effective; but cumulative wear might show later.

Projection & What to Expect

Based on all available data, here’s what can reasonably be expected of Bucky Irving going forward:

• Increased Role: He will likely be the feature back for Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future, especially given his rookie year performance and flashes like Week 12.

• Passing Game Utilization: His pass catching remains a strength; coaches will want to exploit mismatches (linebackers in coverage, etc.).

• Workload Monitoring: To ensure long-term availability, the Buccaneers might need to strategically rotate backs or reduce special teams exposure.

• Fantasy Value: Week 12 and season stats make him a strong fantasy pick; his dual threat ability offers upside in PPR (points per reception) formats.

Conclusion

Bucky Irving’s trajectory from college to Week 12 of his rookie NFL season is impressive. At Oregon, he built a foundation of high production, versatility, and consistency. Entering the NFL, he has translated much of that potential into action: efficient rushing, reliable pass catching, and big games when the stakes are high. Week 12 versus the New York Giants was one such breakout moment, where he combined rushing and receiving to dominate.

Though injury flags — hip, back, toe, hamstring — present risk, Irving has shown resilience and toughness, rarely missing time and delivering through discomfort. If he stays healthy, manages his workload well, and continues to be used wisely, Bucky Irving may not just be a promising young back—he could become one of the league’s elite.