Following an injury-marred second season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was back in action on the first day of the team's 2026 training camp, and he hit the ground running. Irving took first-team reps, ran at full speed, glided out on his routes and stacked cuts like he so often did during his remarkable rookie season in 2024.
Irving had shoulder and foot injuries at the same time last fall but it was the shoulder ailment that ended up causing him the most trouble and eventually led to surgery. He missed seven games and played 95 fewer snaps than 2024 even though in 2025 he was the unquestioned starter from Day One. His shoulder is now fully healed, however, and Head Coach Todd Bowles said there are no restrictor plates on his star runner as camp begins. His shoulder will be tested more when the pads start to go on, but Bowles said he still won't be limited.
"He feels fine, he's great," said Bowles. "He's full speed. He's full-go right now. Obviously, when we get in pads, we're not easing him back from anything. So, we feel pretty good right now."
Dealing with significant injuries can be a mental hurdle for any player, and Irving certainly had some difficulties last year. But he was smiling on Wednesday and expressing gratitude for those that helped him get back to where he was before the injuries.
"Shoulder [is] feeling good," said Irving. "I just want to thank the training staff and everyone that helped me on the road to recovery. Just taking it day-by-day. I just want to give a big thanks to them for helping me get back to where I want to be."
View photos of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arriving for 2026 Training Camp on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026.
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Cornerback Damarion Williams #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Cornerback Damarion Williams #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Linebacker John Bullock #30 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Benjamin Chukwuma #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Tight End Devin Culp #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety JJ Roberts #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Guard Elijah Klein #79 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Dennis Houston #89 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Kadarius Calloway #49 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Simmons #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Punter Riley Dixon #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Ja'Qurious Conley #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Tight End Ko Kieft #41 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yasir Holmes #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Guard Dan Feeney #65 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Running Back Josh Williams #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Miles Killebrew #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Miles Killebrew #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Jack Pyburn #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Linebacker Nick Jackson #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Long Snapper Scott Daly #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Cornerback Kemon Hall #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Marcus Banks #39 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Justin SKule #77 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Paul Rubelt #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Kicker P.T. Potter #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Haggai Ndubuisi #60 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver David Sills V #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Guard Ben Scott #66 and Guard Nash Hutmacher #66 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78, Offensive Tackle Marshall Foerner #74 and Offensive Tackle Luke Haggard #72 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Cornerback Ayden Garnes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Cornerback Jacob Parrish #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Linebacker Christian Rozeboom #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Cornerback Chase Lucas #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Mohamed Kamara #59 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Linebacker Caden Fordham #46 and Tight End Bauer Sharp #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Eric Rivers Jr. #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Dean Patterson #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Linebacker Javin Wright #48 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Linebacker Josiah Trotter #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Guard Henry Lutovsky #61 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Quarterback Connor Bazelak #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Deshawn McKnight #73 and Defensive Back Keionte Scott #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Josiah Green #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman A'Shawn Robinson #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Tight End Kenny Fletcher Jr. #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Quarterback Jalon Daniels #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Jayson Jones #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - Outside Linebacker David Walker #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives before 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2026 - 2026 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As a rookie, Irving figured to be a change-of-pace compliment to lead back Rachaad White, but he proved to be so much more that he was the primary ballcarrier by the end of the season. He finished that season with 1,122 rushing yards and 1,514 yards from scrimmage, with a robust 5.4 yards per carry and 47 receptions. Among players with at least 100 carries that season, Irving ranked second in the league in missed tackles forced percentage, at 36.9%
Last season, of course, was not the follow-up to that brilliant rookie campaign that either Irving or the team wanted or expected. His yardage totals were essentially cut in half and his per-carry average dropped to 3.4. And it wasn't easy for the young back with a deep love for playing the game of football. However, he came through it stronger on the other side.
"We play a physical game. At some point in life or playing this game, some adversity is going to happen and you just have to know how to respond it.
"I learned a lot about myself. What this game means to me — I've been doing this since I was 4-years-old, and [it was my] first time being hurt. Being able to also know you [are] more than just a football player and just being able to self-reflect on things that you can learn outside of football. Just being able to be around my team and know the joy [that] they bring when you [are] around them…So, just being able to know adversity is going to come at some point, but at the end of the day, it's going to determine how you come out of that. It's going to make you stronger."
So on this surprising comfortable Florida morning in late July, even being able to be on the practice field was bringing Irving joy.
"Like I said, I don't take this game for granted," he said. "Each and every time I step on the field I'm trying to give me all for this team and for this community. This is what I love to do, and when I step on the field I'm going to give my all every time."
Can Irving rediscover his peak powers from 2024, when he finished eighth among NFL running backs in yards from scrimmage, routinely turned lost plays into explosive runs and had fans at Raymond James Stadium heartily chanting his name. Well, he's got health on his side now, he'll be working in a Zac Robinson rushing attack that seems to play to his strengths and, well, he's not lacking in motivation.
"I've been doubted my whole life, and just being able to have an edge…I've always been told I'm too small, I'm not fast enough," said Irving. Things like that, it motivates me and gives me an edge when I step on the field. I also know what I do it for. I do it for the people back home who don't really get the chance to make it to the NFL and try and give them some hope that each and every time I step on the field I'm going to give them my all."
