The gravity of Chris Godwin’s injury was apparent on his Bucs teammates’ faces as he writhed on the turf Monday night.
- “Chris deserves better than that,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said later. “… I’ve got a heavy heart right now.”
Why it matters: Tampa Bay lost more than a game Monday: Godwin’s likely to miss the remainder of the season after dislocating his ankle in the ugly collision late in the game.
- Godwin leads the NFL in receptions at 50 and has five touchdowns on the season, tied for second-most.
His fellow all-star wideout, Mike Evans, left the game with a hamstring injury. It’s unclear when he’ll return to play.
Threat level: The injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Bucs, who have lost two of their last three games after a 3-1 start.
- Next up: The division-rival Atlanta Falcons, who are tied with the Bucs atop the NFC South and have already beaten Tampa Bay once this season.
- Then, the Bucs face the two teams from last year’s Super Bowl: the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
Friction point: Head coach Todd Bowles faced criticism for keeping Godwin and the other starters in a game that appeared out of reach.
- Godwin was injured with the Bucs down 10 and only a minute left on the clock.
What they’re saying: “We still had a shot to score some points and win this ballgame,” Bowles told reporters after the game. “It happens. It happens in football.”
What we’re watching: There’s speculation that the Bucs could trade for an additional receiver, with the Jets’ Mike Williams and Titans’ DeAndre Hopkins rumored to be available.
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