Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin will bear surgical procedure on his dislocated left ankle, a process that may doubtless sideline him for the rest of the common season.
Coach Todd Bowles mentioned Tuesday that the Bucs (4-3) — who additionally misplaced 10-time 1,000-yard receiver Mike Evans to a hamstring harm throughout Monday evening’s 41-31 loss to Baltimore – they hope Godwin would possibly be capable of try this. to return if Tampa Bay finally ends up enjoying into January.
“He may have surgical procedure very quickly and can in all probability be out for a 12 months,” Bowles mentioned. “There’s an opportunity, if we are able to make the playoffs, he might come again.”
Meanwhile, Evans is anticipated to be sidelined for at the least the following three video games towards Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco earlier than presumably returning after Tampa Bay’s bye week, when the Bucs face the New York Giants on Nov. 24.
“It’s average, nevertheless it hurts fairly dangerous proper now,” Bowles mentioned of the hamstring that Evans aggravated whereas making the one centesimal landing reception of his profession early within the first quarter Monday evening.
Baker Mayfield almost linked with Evans once more ultimately zone within the second quarter, however the ball slipped out of Evans’ palms as he and Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens fell to the bottom. Trainers watched the receiver for a number of minutes earlier than Evans was helped to his toes and limped into the locker room.
Godwin was injured within the final minute, leaving Bowles to clarify why Godwin – off to one of the best begin of his profession with an NFL-leading 50 receptions for 576 yards and 5 touchdowns – was nonetheless on the sphere in a recreation the Bucs had nearly no likelihood to win.
Especially with Evans, who shares the league lead in landing receptions with six, already hobbled and within the locker room.
“He’s a participant. We’re attempting to win the sport. We had been nonetheless down 10, we’re attempting to get additional factors and kick one other onside kick,” Bowles mentioned. “It simply occurred. With Mike (Evans) gone, we did not have quite a lot of receivers left because it was, so let’s play what we’ve got.”
Mayfield mentioned he would not bear in mind ever being a part of a group that misplaced two gamers in a recreation who meant as a lot to the Bucs as Godwin and Evans.
Baker Mayfield, Bucs silenced throughout robust loss + Chris Godwin, Mike Evans injured | NFL on FOX Pod
“Definitely not two of the blokes which are the heartbeat of this group,” the quarterback mentioned.
“But like I mentioned, we’ve got to discover a manner. … We’re enjoying for first place within the division subsequent week at house towards Atlanta,” Mayfield added. “I’ve acquired to get the children to step up. That’s simply the best way it’s. There’s no different manner round it.”
Associated Press reporting.
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