October 1 Updates
Buccaneers Running Backs Coach Skip Peete received medical attention near the beginning of the team's Wednesday morning walk-through and left the facility for further examination. The Buccaneers released the following statement regarding Peete's status:
"During this morning's walk-through practice, running backs coach Skip Peete experienced a medical episode. He was attended to by team medical personnel and was responsive, coherent, and in stable condition prior to being transported off site for further medical evaluations. Additional updates will be provided as they become available."
Peete, 62, is in his third season on Tampa Bay's coaching staff. He has previously coached for the Raiders, Cowboys, Bears and Rams. Players and coaches paused for several minutes, expressing concern over Peete's health.
"It's definitely scary," said quarterback Baker Mayfield. "Luckily he was alert after [the episode] and kind of making some jokes, but in the moment, it's much bigger than the game of football. Especially when you come into work every day with your teammates, coaching staff, everybody in the building, when something like that happens, somebody close to you, it put things in perspective."
Bucky Irving, the Buccaneers' leading rusher, watched the Bucs' walk-through on Wednesday while wearing a walking boot on his left leg. After practice, Head Coach Todd Bowles said that the team wouldn't have clarity on his game status for this weekend until Friday, but he knows Irving has to shed the boot before having a chance to get ready to play against the Seahawks on Sunday.
"They said we'll know more by Friday," said Bowles. "Right now it's a sprain [and] they're taking it day-to-day. If he's not out of the boot by Friday I would probably be more inclined to say he's not going to play."
If Irving is sidelined against Seattle, it will mark the first game he has missed since being drafted in the fourth round in 2024. Irving was also the Bucs' leading rusher in his first season, gaining 1,122 yards on the ground and 1,514 yards from scrimmage, both best among NFL rookies. The Buccaneers have three other running backs on the roster in Rachaad White, Sean Tucker and Josh Williams, the lattermost of whom is an undrafted rookie who has been inactive for the first four games.
"Having a lot of reps with 'Chaad, and you guys have seen what Tuck's able to do as well with his speed; it's elite," said quarterback Baker Mayfield. "Just getting back to what we had prior to Bucky. Then you add in a guy like Josh Williams if Bucky's not able to go, [he's] a guy that I told you guys during training camp that I really, really liked. Smart kid, knows exactly what we're trying to get done. It's not the same without Buck because he brings a different spark to it and those explosive plays that you guys have seen for two years now that we'll be missing. But we'll see. Hopefully he's able to play, but it not we trust the guys that are in there."
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