Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving had a monster game on Sunday for the Buccaneers in their 26-23 overtime win over the Carolina Panthers.

The rookie running back totaled 152 rushing yards on 25 carries with a touchdown, adding 3 catches for 33 yards. It was Irving’s best game of the season, one that should cement him as the team’s top runner moving forward.

However, Irving wasn’t on the field during the Bucs’ game winning drive of overtime.  Instead, it was Rachaad White who came in and helped the Bucs get win #6 on the season, ripping off a 38-yard run to put Tampa Bay in chip shot field goal range late in overtime.

Some fans on social media were wondering on why Irving wasn’t in the game then, and it appears from a postgame video from Charlotte WBTV sports reporter Cam Gaskins outside the Bucs’ locker room that it could have been because Irving is noticeably laboring with a hip issue he picked up during the game.

It appears in the video as though someone asks Irving – who’s walking with a limp and a pad on his hip – if he’s ok, and he appears to reply “f-ck no”.

Irving suffered what the team announced as a hip injury on a kickoff return with 3 seconds left in the half. However, he was able to return to the game and help the Bucs grind out tough yards in the second half in order to take the lead in the fourth quarter after trailing for most of the half.

How much was Irving involved?  He had 53 and 60 yards from scrimmage on two Bucs fourth quarter scoring drives that saw them go from 16-10 down to leading 20-16 late in the game, including a 6-yard touchdown.  He effectively carried a struggling Baker Mayfield and sputtering offense on Sunday all the way to the finish line.

However, when the Bucs needed a big drive late in overtime, Irving was on the bench.  Now, it appears fans know why.

We’ll find out on Wednesday when the team begins practicing for the Las Vegas Raiders where Irving stands as far as his status and his early chances of suiting up.  However, with White and Sean Tucker – who won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in the team’s 51-27 win over New Orleans – there’s no reason to push a quick timeline for Irving. They have a talented duo who can carry that load if need be.

The Bucs will need their top back at his healthiest and most capable for a stretch run as they go for their fourth division title in a row.