An explosive start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has cooled down to some extent. Even though they were pushing through as the injuries on the roster continued to mount, it has finally started catching up to them. As a result, they’ve lost two of their last three.
After falling to the New England Patriots in Week 10, though, the hopes of winning the one-seed in the NFC are starting to slip out of their grasp. An easy schedule to close the year, combined with their division, should give them a chance to get back on track, but that effort needs to begin in Week 11, especially with the updates around Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin Jr.
Will Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin Jr. Play Against the Bills?
Although the full numbers don’t showcase it, it is a miracle that Tampa Bay has an offense that ranks 21st in PFSN’s Offense Impact. Names like Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka have missed time for them, while Godwin has been virtually missing the entire year.
Add in Irving being limited to just four games so far this season, and the offensive line being left in shambles, and the heroics of Baker Mayfield are about the only thing keeping the team afloat.
But the going is only going to get tougher for the franchise. After losing two of their last three, their next two games are also against two potential Super Bowl contenders in the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams.
As a result, getting healthy is a premium requisite for this squad. The injury report from Thursday brought some optimism for the fan base. Their superstar running back, who came into his own last year after not suiting up since the end of September, was a limited participant in both practices this week. Additionally, Godwin also showed signs of life.
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An ankle dislocation in 2024 kept him out for the start of the year before he finally returned in Week 4. However, a fibula injury just a game later put him out of action once again. This week, though, he practiced, albeit in a limited capacity.
Unfortunately, on Friday, the Buccaneers announced that both Godwin and Irving will not play this week. “Bucs coach Todd Bowles said both Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin are out for Sunday,” wrote Buccaneers insider Rick Stroud on X.
Facing a desperate Buffalo team coming off its worst showing of the year against the Miami Dolphins, the Bucs will have to put their best foot forward, but they will be without their star players on offense.