Bucky Irving vs Sean Tucker: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) averaged 12.3 PPG over 10 games in 2025, outscoring Sean Tucker (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5.1 PPG) by 7.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
A 7.2-PPG gap gives Bucky Irving the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Bucky Irving ran for 588 yards and 1 touchdowns; Sean Tucker posted 320 and 7. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
One thing to note: both players share a Week 11 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.
