Bucky Irving to miss third straight game for Buccaneers due to foot, shoulder injuries

For the third straight week, it appears that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving will be sidelined as he nurses foot and shoulder injuries. The former Oregon Duck missed games against the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in Weeks 5 and 6, respectively, after missing time against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.

Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles, speaking to reporters on Monday, said Irving is "not in play" for next Monday's meeting with the Detroit Lions.

The Buccaneers won both games in Irving's absence with backup Rachaad White carrying a majority of the load — but that's not to say the running game has been successful, as it has struggled with Irving on the sideline.

Against the Seahawks, the Buccaneers managed just 56 yards on the ground and an abysmal mark of 2.3 yards per carry. They were better against the 49ers, amassing 104 yards on the ground but on just 4.0 yards per rush.

The lack of a ground game has put immense pressure on quarterback Baker Mayfield, who's thrown for 635 passing yards and four touchdowns (including one to fellow former DuckTez Johnson) in the two games on his way to leading Tampa Bay to 68 combined points. But for the Buccaneers' offense to reach its full potential, Irving will have to be on the field.

Despite missing two games and soon-to-be a third, he leads the team with 237 rushing yards and is tied for second in catches (19) and receiving touchdowns (two) and is third in receiving yards (193), displaying his dynamic play style and importance to Tampa Bay's offense.

Without Irving for a third week in a row, White will once again assume the bell-cow role with reserve Sean Tucker seeing increased time as well.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Bucky Irving expected to miss Week 7 matchup with Detroit Lions