Bucs' Bowles praises rookie Irving: 'Bucky has a skill you can't teach'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles had nothing but praise for rookie running back Bucky Irving's breakout performance Sunday.

"He's getting more comfortable with the offense," Bowles said Monday. "The more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, the more he can do."

Irving rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's overtime win over the Carolina Panthers, with the 22-year-old and running back Rachaad White tipping the scales in the Bucs' favor. Irving had a 43-yard dash in the fourth quarter to set up a field goal that put Tampa up by six points, and White helped get Chase McLaughlin into range to kick the overtime winner.

"(Irving and White) are running well - we're happy with both of them," Bowles said. "Bucky has a skill you can't teach - he can make people miss in the hole. He's tough on the inside. Rachaad had a big run at the end of the game, as well. Using them both together seems to be working out for us."

Irving has slowly become one of the Buccaneers' most reliable players while playing in all 12 of the club's games so far. He tops the league in forced missed tackles (59.7%) and leads Tampa in rushing yards (732). Irving also has six touchdowns - third-most on the team.

The Oregon product has recorded 70-plus rushing yards and a touchdown in each of his last three contests. Despite being a long shot for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Irving leads all first-year players in rushing yards and is tied with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels for the most rushing touchdowns.

The 6-6 Buccaneers sit first in the NFC South and take on the 2-10 Raiders on Sunday.