The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced a tough loss against the Baltimore Ravens, falling 41-31 on “Monday Night Football.” The defeat was compounded by injuries to both star wide receivers, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Godwin reportedly suffered a dislocated left ankle, while Evans is dealing with a right hamstring injury.
Head coach Todd Bowles expressed concern about both injuries, noting that it “didn’t look good” for Godwin, who received support from teammates in the training room post-game. “Our prayers go out to him,” Bowles stated. “Chris is a remarkable player and a great human being. You feel bad for him, but we have to keep moving forward.”
The injury occurred when Godwin caught a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield and was tackled from behind by linebacker Roquan Smith, with Godwin’s ankle appearing to become trapped. The NFL is reviewing Smith’s tackle for potential violations regarding a hip-drop tackle, which could result in a fine if deemed intentional.
Mayfield was visibly upset about Godwin’s injury and praised him for his contributions to the team. “This absolutely sucks,” he commented. “Chris deserves better than that. He’s an incredible teammate and has played extraordinarily this year.”
As Godwin was assisted off the field, the Buccaneers’ bench rallied around him, showing their support with chants of “Godwin! Godwin!” Godwin and Evans had been co-leading the league in touchdown receptions with five each in the first six games of the season.
Bowles defended his decision to keep starters in the game despite the score, saying there was still a chance to score points and win. “We don’t second-guess,” he insisted.
Evans, who had been nursing a hamstring injury but still played, caught a touchdown on the opening drive, marking his 100th career receiving touchdown, a feat achieved by only ten other players in NFL history. However, he injured himself in the second quarter while attempting to catch a pass in the end zone, falling to the ground in pain. He was able to walk off the field, albeit with a noticeable limp.
Evans had missed practice earlier in the week due to his hamstring issue but did practice on Friday before the game. He and Godwin rank first and second in the Buccaneers’ all-time receiving yards list.
For Godwin, this marks the second significant injury of his career, having previously torn his ACL and MCL during the 2021 season. Teammate Cade Otton shared his disappointment, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other in light of these injuries.
The Buccaneers, now 4-3, will face the Atlanta Falcons, who are also 4-3, in their next game, marking a crucial divisional matchup. Mayfield acknowledged the team’s need for resilience and willingness to adapt in the wake of the injuries. “It’s going to suck thinking about Chris and Mike for a while, but we have to move forward,” he said.