Chris Godwin (ankle), Mike Evans (hamstring) injured in Bucs’ loss

Chris Godwin (ankle), Mike Evans (hamstring) injured in Bucs’ loss

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  • Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff WriterOct 21, 2024, 09:33 PM ET

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      Jenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost both of their star wide receivers — Chris Godwin and Mike Evans — in a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on “Monday Night Football,” with Godwin suffering what coach Todd Bowles said was a dislocated left ankle and Evans suffering a right hamstring injury.

Bowles said he was waiting for further details on Evans but that “it [didn’t] look good” for Godwin, who was met by several teammates in the training room after the game.

“Our prayers go out to him,” Bowles said of Godwin. “Chris is a hell of a player and a hell of a human being. Not much you can say. You feel bad for him, and unfortunately, they’re not going to cancel the games. We got to step up and move on. But our hearts are heavy.”

With 1:04 left in regulation, Godwin caught a pass from Baker Mayfield and was tackled from behind by inside linebacker Roquan Smith, with Godwin’s left ankle appearing to get caught beneath Smith.

Smith’s tackle appears to have all the elements of a hip-drop tackle and is being reviewed by the NFL, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday. If it is deemed to be a hip-drop tackle, Smith would be subject to a fine.

Several teammates were visibly shaken as Godwin remained on his knees and was quickly attended to by the training staff. Mayfield turned away, knelt down and put his head into his hands.

“This absolutely sucks,” Mayfield said. “Yeah, it sucks for our team, but Chris deserves better than that. He’s an unbelievable guy. An unbelievable teammate. Obviously, you guys have seen — he’s played extraordinary this year. Got a heavy heart right now.”

The entire Buccaneers bench cleared and gathered as Godwin was helped onto an injury cart, as chants of “Godwin! Godwin!” broke out along with a standing ovation.

Godwin and Evans entered the game tied for the league lead with five touchdown receptions over Tampa Bay’s first six games, with Mayfield calling them a “huge heartbeat of this team.”

Bowles defended keeping Godwin and other starters in the game despite it being out of reach with two onside kicks already attempted and no timeouts remaining, saying, “We don’t second-guess,” and pointing to the fact that the team was already without Evans.

“I do protect my players all the time,” Bowles said. “That has nothing to do with why we left him in this ballgame. We still had a shot to score some points and win this ballgame. It happens. It happens in football.”

“This absolutely sucks. Yeah, it sucks for our team, but Chris deserves better than that. He’s an unbelievable guy. An unbelievable teammate. Obviously, you guys have seen — he’s played extraordinary this year. Got a heavy heart right now.”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield on Chris Godwin’s injury

Mayfield had no objection to remaining in the game.

“We talked about it on the sideline, thinking, ‘If we get a quick touchdown — obviously already got an onside kick during the game — get a quick touchdown, an onside kick, have a possibility for a Hail Mary,” he said. “We have a group of fighters. We all wanted a chance to try and win that thing any way, some way, somehow.”

Evans, who entered the game with a hamstring strain but was determined to play, caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield on the opening drive, making him just the 11th player in NFL history to reach 100 receiving touchdowns.

But in the second quarter, Mayfield attempted to find Evans in the end zone on a 25-yard go route against Brandon Stephens, and Evans couldn’t hang onto the pass. Evans fell to the ground and grabbed the back of his leg while writhing in pain.

Evans remained on the field for several seconds as trainers and teammates gathered around him. He was able to walk off the field with Bucs vice president of sports medicine and performance Bobby Slater but limped significantly as he entered the tunnel to a standing ovation.

Evans missed two days of practice this week with the injury, which coach Todd Bowles described earlier in the week as a lingering injury versus an acute one. The wideout was able to practice Friday in a limited capacity and carried no injury designation heading into Monday night’s game, where he was honored with a message on the videoboard commemorating his scoring achievement in the first quarter.

Evans and Godwin sit No. 1 and 2 for the Bucs in all-time receiving yards. Evans had hoped to tie Jerry Rice this season for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons after recording 10 in his first 10 campaigns. Up until this point, Evans has only missed nine regular-season games, with just seven due to injury or illness.

But for Godwin, this is the second major career-threatening injury he has dealt with, having torn an ACL and an MCL in Week 15 of the 2021 season. Godwin said he finally felt like he was back to his old self this summer, and several teammates and coaches took notice too.

“I’m sick about it,” tight end Cade Otton said of his injured teammates. “We talk about great guys and great leaders and great players. It sucks. It’s the terrible part about this job, but we have to come together for them and play better and win games and just carry on like they would.”

As outside linebacker YaYa Diaby said of Godwin, “He was having such an amazing year, and for a guy like that … we need him on this offense. And then for Mike — we need him, as well. You know, I don’t know what the story is, but I hope he can get well.”

The 4-3 Bucs now must face their biggest divisional obstacle this weekend when they host the Atlanta Falcons (also 4-3) in a rematch of a Week 5 overtime heartbreaker for Tampa Bay.

“It sucks,” Mayfield said. “Going to be thinking about Chris and Mike for a while here, but going to move forward. This group is going to have to be resilient. Going to have to have guys step up. That’s just the way it is. There is no other way around it. Going to have to look this thing in the face and take it head on.”


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Ravens 41, Bucs 31 – Bucs Lose to Baltimore Ravens in Week 7

Ravens 41, Bucs 31 – Bucs Lose to Baltimore Ravens in Week 7

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the visiting Baltimore Ravens in Week Seven, 41-31. Overall, Baker Mayfield completed 31-of-45 attempts for 370 yards and threw three touchdowns and two interceptions for a 97.5 quarterback rating. The Buccaneers marched down the field on their opening drive, courtesy of a conversion on fourth-and-one off an 11-yard jet sweep by Jalen McMillan. The next play, Mike Evans capped off the eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive with a 25-yard touchdown – becoming the 11th player in NFL history to hit 100 career touchdown receptions. The Buccaneers defense followed suit, forcing a quick Ravens’ exit. Calijah Kancey dropped Derrick Henry in the backfield for a loss on first down and both Yaya Diaby and Antoine Winfield Jr. were credited with sacks on the two ensuing plays. On second down, Diaby came inside on a loop and dropped Lamar Jackson for a loss of eight yards and Winfield Jr. forced the punt on third down.

On the next possession, Mayfield hit McMillan, who boxed out defenders for a first down conversion. A roughing the passer penalty set the Bucs’ up at the Baltimore 34-yard-line. A shifty 14-yard gain by Bucky Irving post-catch helped set up Chris Godwin’s eight-yard touchdown. However, a holding penalty nullified the scored and led to an ensuing Chase McLaughlin 23-yard field goal, giving the home team a 10-0 advantage.

On the next drive, Baltimore marched down the field off a 14-yard gain by Charlie Kolar, an 11-yard scramble by Jackson and a 10-yard pickup by Isaiah Likely. Jackson finished the six-play, 70-yard scoring drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews, making it a 10-7 game.

Following a deep incompletion to Evans on the Bucs’ next offensive series, Godwin picked up the first on third down with a gain of 15 off a slant. The drive ended with a Marlon Humphrey interception in the end zone for a touchback. The Ravens followed up with a four-play, 80-yard scoring drive, courtesy of a 59-yard explosive play. Jackson rolled out of the pocket and scrambled to the right, keeping his eyes downfield. He threw the ball down the field to Rashod Bateman and the Ravens cashed in with a Jackson connection with Justice Hill on an 18-yard touchdown.

The Bucs’ next drive ended promptly with a turnover. Mayfield was intercepted by Humphrey at the Baltimore 40-yard line, putting Jackson and company right back on the field. Just before the half, Justin Tucker kicked a 28-yard field goal, extending the Ravens’ lead 17-10. After the Bucs started10-0 and outgained the Ravens 140-8, the tide shifted as the Ravens put up 17 unanswered and outgained the Bucs, 225-78 to conclude the first half.

Coming out of the half, Trucker drilled a 52-yard field goal, extending the Ravens’ lead, 20-10. On the following drive for Tampa Bay, the Bucs sent out Chase McLaughlin from fourth-and-four at the Baltimore 37 to attempt a 55-yard field goal. The attempt was no good, keeping the Ravens with a 10-point advantage. The Ravens then moved down the field on a four-play, 55-yard scoring drive. Bateman worked over the top of the Bucs’ defense and Jackson heaved a deep 49-yard bomb to Bateman, who hauled in the grab for a touchdown, giving the Ravens a 27-10 lead. The Bucs next drive ended with a third-down sack of Mayfield by Odafe Oweh, forcing a punt. The Ravens put the exclamation mark on their lead, with a subsequent 92-yard scoring drive in five plays, spearheaded by an 81-yard run by Henry. He quickly bounced to the outside and accelerated down the left sideline. Henry was pushed out of bounds by Zyon McCollum, and the Ravens capitalized with a four-yard Andrews touchdown.

An unorthodox turn of events to begin the fourth shifted the momentum to the Bucs. A Jackson fumble and ensuing recovery by McCollum, put Mayfield and company back on the field. In what initially appeared to be a sensational touchdown in which half the defense pushed McCollum back into the end zone, was called back. He was ruled down, but the Bucs cashed in on the turnover with a White touchdown and successful two-point attempt to trim the deficit, 34-18. The Ravens immediately responded with an eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive of their own, culminating in a Derrick Henry 13-yard touchdown. He was wide open in the flat and Jackson passed to his favorite target, who turned upfield and crossed the goal line. On that play, the Ravens exceeded 500 total net yards and extended their lead, 41-18.

Late in the fourth, Bucky Irving plunged into the end zone on a one-yard touchdown rush after Cade Otton made a physical grab to bring the Bucs to first-and-goal. Mayfield was sacked on the two-point attempt, keeping the score at 41-24. Tavierre Thomas then recovered the onside kick, putting the Bucs’ offense right back on the field. The unit capitalized with a 23-yard touchdown. Mayfield hit White, who was wide-open in the flat and turned north after the catch. The Bucs trailed by 10, 41-31 after too many miscues sealed the team’s fate.


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Bucs 51, Saints 27 – Bucs Defeat the New Orleans Saints in Week 6

Bucs 51, Saints 27 – Bucs Defeat the New Orleans Saints in Week 6

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On the Saints’ first offensive possession, the defense recorded a takeaway, halting the home team’s momentum. Tykee Smith forced the ball out of Chris Olave’s hands, blanketing the Saints’ receiver. Antoine Winfield Jr., who returned from a foot injury in Week Six, recovered the football and returned it 58 yards for a Tampa Bay touchdown, providing the Bucs’ with an early 14-0 lead inside the Superdome.

On the next drive after Mike Evans drew a pass interference flag on Paulson Adebo, Carl Granderson was flagged for unnecessary roughness two plays later. A flea flicker picked up 15 yards for Sean Tucker on the trick play, but Mayfield’s pass to Evans on third down went incomplete. Chase McLaughlin drilled a 26-yard field goal, giving the Bucs a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.

On the following drive, following a pickup of 16 for Spencer Rattler on a scramble and a 13-yard gain for Foster Moreau, Calijah Kancey dropped Alvin Kamara for a loss of one. After Kamara was stopped short on third down by Yaya Diaby, the Saints were forced to kick a field goal at the beginning of the second frame, making it a 17-3 game.

The Bucs next drive began with back-to-back penalties, including too many men on the field and a false start. After a couple incompletions to Evans and Godwin, an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Bucs stalled the drive on third down. Rashid Shaheed then fielded Jake Camarda’s 47-yard punt, and he returned it 64 yards for a Saints’ touchdown.

Tampa Bay’s next drive was cut short as Paulson Adebo intercepted Mayfield at the Tampa Bay 30-yard line. He returned it 17 yards but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Alontae Taylor brought the Saints back 15 yards. New Orleans was not able to cash in with points after Vita Vea sacked Rattler on third down, which set up a Grupe 29-yard field goal.

A turnover promptly ended the Bucs next drive. Mayfield’s pass intended for Jalen McMillan was intercepted by Johnathan Abram at the Tampa Bay 40-yard line. He returned it 30 yards to the 10, and the Saints cashed in with a score. Rattler connected with Bub Means on a 10-yard score, giving the Saints a 20-17 lead. The Buccaneers immediately responded with a touchdown of their own. A 39-yard gain by Ryan Miller put the Bucs in positive field position and Tucker took a screen 36-yards to the house, capping off a six-play, 76-yard scoring drive. He maneuvered around traffic and found the end zone.

The Saints fired back on a seven-play, 70-yard scoring drive. From second-and-seven, Rattler found Moreau sitting in a zone over the middle of the field and the Saints’ tight end picked up 41 yards on the catch-and-run, setting the home team up at the seven-yard-line. Alvin Kamara finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown. New Orleans took a three-point lead in the offensive shootout before the two-minute warning.

The Bucs’ next drive was stalled by an interception. Bryan Bresee batted down Mayfield’s pass intended for Cade Otton and Cam Jordan intercepted the ball at the New Orleans 40-yard line, putting Rattler and co. right back on the field. The Saints were not able to take advantage with points, after an effective pressure package by the Bucs on third down. Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David came flying in, forcing an errant throw by the rookie.

Coming out the half, rookie Tykee Smith forced another fumble that Zyon McCollum recovered. After review, the play was ruled an incomplete pass, setting up an ensuing punt. The Saints’ defense forced a quick three-and-out and the Bucs followed suit with a Camarda punt. The Bucs’ defense brought the pressure on the subsequent drive for N.O. Rattler was taken down by K.J. Britt and Chris Braswell on first down for a loss of nine yards and the next play, Logan Hall and Calijah Kancey got into the mix, splitting a sack for a loss of three, which resulted in third-and-22 and an eventual punt.

The Bucs’ offense followed suit with a touchdown. Godwin took a screen 55 yards, culminating in a score. He made the first defender miss and cutback inside for an open shot at the end zone. The RAC-artist utilized his physical prowess in the open field, giving Tampa Bay a five-point lead.

On the Saints’ next drive, a 30-yard gain by Johnson was brought back due to an illegal shift and ensuing replay of second down. An incompletion on third down set up a Matthew Hayball punt. The Bucs’ following drive ended after a second-down sack by Willie Gay on Mayfield and a third-down scramble by Mayfield came up short of the sticks. The Bucs’ defense came up with a takeaway on the ensuing drive, this one by McCollum at the Tampa Bay 42-yard line. He intercepted Rattler’s pass intended for Shaheed, making a sensational leaping grab. Bucky Irving continued the stellar trend for Tampa Bay with a 31-yard run. He quickly bounced to the outside with a lateral cut and threw a lethal stiff arm into the mix. Otton capped off the five-play, 58-yard drive with a touchdown. Under duress, Mayfield threw a low dart to No.88 right on the numbers as he fell to the ground, extending the visiting team’s lead, 37-27.

The Bucs’ defense then forced a Saints’ three-and-out, including a sack by Lavonte David on first down. The Tampa Bay offense put an exclamation mark on the game with a 10-play, 71-yard scoring drive, capped off by an Irving one-yard touchdown run. A few plays before, the rookie running back brought the Bucs to the New Orleans eight-yard line off an 18-yard screen. The Saints’ defense had no answers for the Bucs’ perimeter assault.

The defense quickly answered, with Smith intercepting Rattler at the Tampa Bay 36-yard line. The very next play, Tucker passed through the B-gap for a 36-yard gain post-cut. He ended the six-play, 64-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown, to give the Bucs’ a convincing 51-27 win.


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Broncos 26, Bucs 7 – Bucs Lose to Denver Broncos in Week 3

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Denver Broncos 26-7 as miscues piled up for the home team. The Bucs were unable to sustain drives offensively and converted three-of-11 third-down attempts. Baker Mayfield was sacked seven times, and the Tampa Bay defense struggled to get off the field.

On the Broncos’ first play from scrimmage, Courtland Sutton gained 22 yards out of hurry-up mode and two plays later, Josh Reynolds picked up 31 yards down the right sideline on a back-shoulder grab. He worked over the top of the Bucs’ defense for a chunk play to the Tampa Bay 11-yard line. Quarterback Bo Nix capped off the six-play, 70-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown scramble around the right edge. The Bucs’ offense followed suit with a quick three-and-out following a gain of two yards by Rachaad White from third-and-ten.

On the following drive, the Bucs’ defense forced a quick punt. Jordan Whitehead forced Jaleel McLaughlin out of bounds on a screen. He diagnosed and got to the spot, limiting McLaughlin’s YAC-opportunity. Nix threw an incompletion on third down, forcing a punt.

The Bucs’ next drive was halted by a Broncos’ takeaway. Brandon Jones intercepted Mayfield and returned it 36 yards to the nine-yard line. The Bucs’ defense stood on third-and-goal from the one, stopping Javonte Williams short. Denver challenged the ruling but the play was upheld. The Broncos were able to cash in on fourth down with a one-yard Jaleel McLaughlin run around the right end, giving the Broncos a 14-0 advantage. Tampa Bay’s offense stalled after a quick three-and-out as Riley Moss forced an incompletion to Trey Palmer on third down.

The Broncos’ ensuing 13-play, 41-yard drive ended in a Will Lutz 43-yard field goal as Tykee Smith and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka stopped Troy Franklin short of the sticks. A third down illegal block above the waist by Powers set up third-and-20 for Denver.

The Bucs turned it over on downs on the subsequent drive after Mayfield’s pass to Godwin on fourth-and-two went incomplete. The tide changed on the next Broncos’ drive as the Bucs posted their first takeaway of the day. Lavonte David forced a fumble and Logan Hall recovered. Bucky Irving then followed suit by getting to the open field post-cut for a 32-yard gain. Irving pushed the Bucs to first-and-goal at the one with a 13-yard gain.

Mayfield faked a handoff to White and Irving flowed in motion around the opposite end, putting the Bucs in an advantageous field position. The Bucs were able to cash in before the half with a Godwin score. Before the snap from second-and-six, Godwin lined up wide on the left side of the formation. He utilized a quick stutter-step and worked outside to gain enough leverage to spin his body around to secure the catch on a six-yard score. The Bucs trimmed their deficit, 17-7 on the six-play, 67-yard drive. To end the first half, the Broncos came away with three. Chris Braswell brought relentless pressure on third down, forcing Denver to settle for a Lutz 38-yard field goal.

Coming out of the intermission, despite gains of 13-yards by both Cade Otton and Chris Godwin, a sack on Mayfield by John Franklin-Myers for a loss of seven yards and an ensuing incompletion and no gain for White on a screen, the Bucs were forced to punt. The Broncos’ offense then fizzled on a three-and-out with a near interception by Tykee Smith on third down. The Bucs managed to cross midfield on the next drive off a couple of Irving plays, but a sack on Mayfield on second down (-8) and an incompletion to Godwin on third down forced another punt inside Raymond James Stadium for the home team.

On the Broncos’ following possession, Bo Nix scrambled to the Tampa Bay 31-yard line, forcing several missed tackles for a gain of 22 yards. Two defensive offside penalties by the Bucs at the end of the third quarter set up third-and-four for Denver. The drive culminated in a Lutz 33-yard field goal, making it a 23-7 game. The Bucs’ offense followed up with a turnover on downs after a second-down sack of Mayfield and another takedown by the Broncos’ defense on fourth down as Mayfield tried to evade pressure.

Tampa Bay’s defense then managed to hold the Broncos to three after Tyler Badie took Denver to the Tampa Bay 32-yard line on a 43-yard gain up the middle. Lutz drilled a 43-yarder, extending their lead 26-7. Just before the two-minute warning, a disastrous series occurred for the Bucs. Mayfield was sacked on second down and on third down, a Cade Otton fumble was recovered by Denver’s Brandon Jones. Moss knocked the ball out and Jones returned it 34 yards to the Broncos’ 47-yard line.


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Bucs 20, Lions 16 – Bucs Defeat the Detroit Lions in Week 2

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On the following drive for Detroit, Jameson Williams worked over the top of the Bucs’ defense on a vertical route and picked up 50 yards. A roughing the passer penalty by Tampa Bay set up the Lions at first-and-goal. Following a third-down incompletion to Williams, Jake Bates kicked a 22-yard field goal. On the ensuing possession for the Bucs, Hutchinson recorded a sack trick on Mayfield on third down, quickly winning the one-on-one, setting up a subsequent punt.

The Lions then marched down the field, as Goff found the soft spot in zone and connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a gain of six yards. The home team came up short of the end zone as Lavonte David recorded an open-field tackle on Gibbs on third down, forcing a Bates’ 35-yard field goal, which evened the score at six.

Godwin became the go-to catalyst on the next drive, as Mayfield rolled out of the pocket twice and found the RAC-artist for gains of 17 and 11 yards – both resulting in first downs. It was only fitting that Godwin put the exclamation mark on the drive with a touchdown. Mayfield hit Godwin down the left sideline for a 41-yard score, giving the Bucs’ a 13-6 advantage. From the slot, Godwin delayed his release, making the defender think he was going to break inside, then he turned on the jets down the perimeter once the DB took the bait.

On the next drive, Jordan Whitehead forced an incompletion over the middle of the field and a pass breakup by Christian Izien on third down forced a Lions’ punt. The Lions’ defense stepped up nearing the end of the second quarter as Brian Branch intercepted Mayfield’s pass intended for Mike Evans at the Tampa Bay 44-yard line. The Lions were not able to cash in with seven before the half. Detroit’s offense had 12 men on the field, which forced a 10-second runoff, subsequently ending the second quarter.

Coming out of the half, St. Brown picked up 20 yards and a roughing the passer penalty on the Bucs tacked on an additional 15 yards for Detroit. On the ensuing play, Williams gained 15 yards on a reverse. A three-yard pass to David Montgomery on third down forced a Bates’ 32-yard field goal. The Bucs followed suit with a three-and-out, as Hutchinson fired off the edge for his fourth sack on Mayfield, forcing a punt.

On the Lions’ next drive, a tackle for loss by Jordan Whitehead on Gibbs set up second-and-14. Goff connected with St. Brown on the ensuing play for a gain of 17 yards and Montgomery finished off the 12-play, 68-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown rush up the middle for the score, making it a 16-13 game. On the subsequent possession, Mayfield showcased his wheels and cutback-skills on the ground. On third down, the signal-caller scrambled around the right tackle for a gain of 11 yards. The next play, Mayfield was in the end zone, extending his arm over the goal line after an 11-yard run up the middle. The moxie quarterback put the team on his back and spurred the club to a 20-16 lead in enemy territory. The Lions answered with a punt following a Goff incompletion to Kalif Raymond on third down.

The next drive was stalled with a third-down sack of Mayfield by Hutchinson, the edge rusher’s fifth. The Lions marched down the field on the following drive after a Gibbs’ 24-yard run put the club in favorable field position, but Bucs’ Christian Izien picked off a deep lob at the Tampa Bay nine-yard line and returned the interception 18 yards to the 27. The Bucs were unable to take advantage with points and punted following an incompletion to Jalen McMillan.

On the Lions’ following drive, an 18-yard gain by Raymond and a nine-yard gain by St. Brown on out routes moved the sticks, but a critical tackle for loss on Gibbs by Tykee Smith on second down set up third-and-seven. After Sam LaPorta was short on third down, the Lions went for it on fourth down and Gibbs broke free for a 23-yard gain. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka dropped Gibbs in the open field for a loss of four following a quick screen pass on first down and following stops by Jamel Dean and SirVocea Dennis, the Lions went for it on fourth down. The home team fell short of the end zone after Whitehead and Izien stopped Gibbs short of the first down in the red area. Jake Camarda then punted the ball to the Detroit 47, and it was returned nine yards. The Bucs’ defensed halted the Lions’ comeback bid for a victory in Week Two over the Lions.


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