Following the Friday practice for the Bucs, Todd Bowles spoke with the media and revealed that three players were going to be out for Sunday’s home game against the Falcons. The biggest question of them all is if rookie running back Bucky Irving is available.

Bucs DL Vita Vea, Greg Gaines and Will Gholston Photo by: USA Today

As it turns out, Irving looks like he’ll be good to go for the creamsicle game. Bowles said after practice that wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring), defensive lineman Greg Gaines (calf) and defensive back Tykee Smith (concussion) are the players that have been ruled out for Sunday.

Evans we know is out until after the bye week, Smith was unlikely to get out of concussion protocol due to a shorter week, but Gaines came as a surprise since he didn’t get on the injury report until Thursday. He did have a walking boot, which indicated the severity of it.

While Gaines wasn’t seen at all. Smith at least warmed up with the team before running individually. Irving also warmed up with everybody where he ran a little, then he stood off to the sidelines as special teams drills went on next.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving Has Had This Injury Before

Bucs RB Bucky Irving and Ravens ILB Roquan Smith – Photo by: USA Today

Todd Bowles started off by saying that Bucky Irving should be alright for the game. He stated: “Barring anything happening, he should be okay.”

What was interesting right after was that he mentioned that this has been an injury that Irving had before during college at Oregon and even before then. The pain threshold is more familiar compared to another injury that football players might experience in a season.

“It’s a toe injury,” Bowles said. “It’s been bothering him. He’s had it in college, it’s something he’s been dealing with his whole life.”

Bowles also expressed that it’s not a turf toe injury, and just a toe injury.

Having Bucky Irving available means that the team can keep its three-headed monster intact with Irving, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. There’s been plenty of discussion of how Tampa Bay needs to be creative on offense without having Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, so these running backs will play a huge role.

The running game for Tampa Bay really started taking off in their first matchup against the Falcons. They’ve also found a ton of success in the “Pony” package, meaning having two backs on the field at the same time. While offensive coordinator Liam Coen said they can’t run the Pony 50 times a game, we could see it utilized a tad more given the circumstances and maybe even get all three on the field together.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Each running back brings their own skillset and are all helpful in the passing game, too. If Tampa Bay wins on Sunday, it’s going to be a collective effort from everybody involved.

Tucker has made a lot of noise lately by winning offensive player of the week during the Bucs’ Week 6 win over New Orleans, it’s been Irving that has been the most consistent out of all three running backs.

Irving leads the team with 67 rushing attempts, 351 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. He’s scored in three out of the last four games, hitting his stride with an increased role in the backfield. We’ll how much he’ll be utilized given his injury for Sunday against the Falcons, but at least Tampa Bay knows it can rely on all three running backs to help the team be successful and stay in the race for the top of the division standings.