Bucs' Todd Bowles defends decision to keep Chris Godwin in game despite slim odds

Chris Godwin will likely suffer a season-ending ankle injury after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star receiver had to be carted off the field at Raymond James Stadium on “Monday Night Football” against the Baltimore Ravens.

Bucs fans, however, have some beef with head coach Todd Bowles, as Godwin's injury occurred late in the game – there were 43 seconds left to play with Tampa Bay trailing by 10 against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.

However, Bowles defended his decision to leave Godwin and his other starters on the field during his postgame press conference.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is carted off the field after suffering an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

“He’s a player,” Bowles told reporters. “We’re trying to win the ball game. We were still 10 behind. We try to get extra points and get another onside kick. (The injury) just happened.”

Bowles added that the Bucs were down to four healthy receivers due to the hamstring injury Mike Evans suffered early in the game, requiring Godwin to be in the game despite the score and time on the clock.

“We didn’t have that many receivers left,” Bowles said. “So we play what we have.”

BUCS STAR CHRIS GODWIN suffers gruesome ankle injury. The loss to the Ravens will not be shown on the broadcast

The injury occurred when Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith rolled on Godwin's ankle during a tackle, and ESPN did not show the replay of the injury because it was clear something bad had happened to Godwin's left ankle.

Trainers quickly rushed over to assess the situation and Godwin was eventually placed in an air block and carried off the field. Bowles told reporters after the game that the early prognosis was an ankle dislocation – an injury that, depending on the timing of recovery, would be season-ending.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (back) after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game on Monday, October 21, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Godwin, who ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards this season, is expected to be a free agent after this year.

Smith's tackle is currently under investigation by the NFL because it appeared to have all the elements of a hip-drop tackle – a maneuver the league wants to ban from the game. However, penalties or suspensions for these types of tackles are not how the league enforces it.

If the NFL instead deems Smith's tackle a hip drop, he would face a fine, according to ESPN.

The last thing the Buccaneers wanted to see on Monday night was two of their best offensive weapons being sidelined with serious injuries at the same time. While Godwin could miss the remainder of the year, Evans' hamstring injury is so serious that he will likely be out until after Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye, according to multiple reports.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles arrives at Caesars Superdome before a game against the New Orleans Saints. (Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images)

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The Bucs have a very important division game coming up against the Atlanta Falcons, who they lost to in overtime earlier this season. The meeting will decide who will take first place in the NFC South after Week 8.

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