An already depleted Bucs receiving corps got a little thinner this morning as scans came back on WR Chris Godwin’s ailing knee revealing an MCL sprain. The injury is likely to cost him the remainder of the regular season, though the team has not ruled out a return for the playoffs. The 25 year old wideout appeared to suffer the injury in the 2nd quarter of Tampa’s Sunday Night game against the Saints.
Not much went right for the Buccaneers last night as they let the chance to clinch the NFC South slip through their fingers. Not only did they lose the game 9-0 to their division rivals, but WR Mike Evans and RB Leonard Fournette also exited the game with hamstring injuries of their own, meaning Tampa Bay’s Week 16 roster is likely to be missing some key contributors.
Through 14 games, Godwin had posted a career high 98 receptions for 1103yds and 5TDs. Depending on the severity of the sprain, the Bucs could be without Godwin’s services for 2-8 weeks.
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians noted Sunday night that WR Antonio Brown would be rejoining the team following his 3 game suspension this week. Though he provided no timeline for when he would return to game action, it’s important to note that he made this proclamation before the team lost Evans, Godwin, and Fournette to injury. With three of their primary offensive playmakers out, expect Brown to suit up sooner rather than later.
Tampa has games against the Panthers, Jets, and Panthers remaining on their schedule.
UPDATE 3PM ET: According to new reports, a 2nd opinion has revealed that it is actually an ACL injury and will cost Godwin the remainder of the year.