Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin will undergo surgery on his left ankle, a procedure that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
Coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday the Bucs (4-3) — who also lost 10-yard 1,000-yard rusher Mike Evans to injury in Monday night’s 41-31 loss to Baltimore — are hopeful Godwin can make it. return if Tampa Bay ends up playing deep in January.
“He’s going to have surgery soon and may be out for a year,” Bowles said. “There is a chance, if we run late, he might come back.”
Meanwhile, Evans is expected to miss at least the next three games against Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco before returning after Tampa Bay’s bye week when the Bucs face the New York Giants on November 24.
“It’s moderate, but it hurts a lot right now,” Bowles said of the muscle Evans strained while scoring his 100th career touchdown early in the first quarter Monday night.
Baker Mayfield nearly connected with Evans in the end zone again in the second quarter, but the ball bounced off Evans’ hands as he and Ravens linebacker Brandon Stephens went down. Trainers watched the receiver for several minutes before Evans was helped to his feet and limped into the locker room.
Godwin was injured in the final minute, leaving Bowles to explain why Godwin – who had an NFL career best with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns – was on the field in a game the Bucs almost didn’t have. chance to win.
Especially with Evans, who shares the league lead in TD receptions with six, already a fixture in the locker room.
“He’s a player. We’re trying to win a football game. We were down 10, trying to get more points and kick another onside kick,” Bowles said. “It just happened. With Mike (Evans) going down, we didn’t have as many receivers as we used to, so we’re playing with what we’ve got.”
Mayfield said he doesn’t remember being part of a team that lost two players in a game like Godwin and Evans did to the Bucs.
Baker Mayfield, Bucs quiet in tough loss + Chris Godwin, Mike Evans injured | NFL on FOX Pod
“It’s definitely not the two guys who beat the heart of this team,” said the defender.
“But like I said, we have to find a way. … We’ll be playing for first place in the division next week at home against Atlanta,” Mayfield added. “The boys have to stand up. That’s just the way it is. There is no other way.”
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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