The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a major challenge on the perimeter as they deal with significant injuries to their top receivers. Head coach Todd Bowles provided updates on the status of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and it’s not looking good for the team.
Godwin suffered a brutal leg injury during Monday night’s game and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, according to Bowles. Evans, on the other hand, injured his hamstring in the same game and will be sidelined for an extended period.
Bowles indicated that Evans could return after the team’s bye week, potentially making his comeback in Week 12 against the New York Giants. This means he is likely to miss the next three games, leaving the Bucs without their top two pass catchers.
With Godwin and Evans out, the Buccaneers will need to make significant adjustments to their offense. Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns through seven weeks, while Evans had 26 receptions for 335 yards and six touchdowns. The drop-off in production from the next highest receiver, Sterling Shepard, is stark.
In order to compensate for the absence of their top receivers, Tampa Bay will have to rely on younger players like Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, and Shepard, while also looking for tight end Cade Otton to step up and take on a larger role in the passing game.
It’s a challenging situation for the Buccaneers, who will need to find ways to overcome the loss of their top playmakers and continue to compete at a high level in a tough NFC South division.
