The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playoff aspirations just took a massive hit.
It wasn’t just that they lost at home to the Baltimore Ravens, but it was also how costly the loss turned out to be.
They lost Mike Evans with a hamstring injury, and Chris Godwin is reportedly looking at a long time on the shelf as well.
According to a report by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Godwin will undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle this week.
He will reportedly see a doctor later on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury, and he’s expected to make a full recovery for the start of the 2025 NFL season — when he’ll be a free agent.
#Bucs WR Chris Godwin will undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle this week, sources say. He’ll see a doctor today to determine the damage & is expected to make a full recovery for 2025 — when he’ll be a FA.
Godwin was in a career year with 576 receiving yds — 2nd in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/UPVOqFwjXT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2024
The Buccaneers star was in the midst of a career-best season, boasting 576 receiving yards, the second-best mark in the league behind only Ja’Marr Chase (620).
Godwin has struggled with injuries in the past.
That’s going to take a toll on the 28-year-old and his market value.
Of course, the Bucs had every intention to try and retain him, but things could change now.
The Bucs took him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Penn State, and he’s topped the 500-yard plateau in each of his first eight seasons in the league.
He’s also reached 1,000 yards four times in his career, and he was a big factor in their Super Bowl win in 2020.
The Bucs will host the 4-3 Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and they’ll miss their two stars in a potential division-defining tilt.
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