Chris Godwin was carted off the field Monday after suffering what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers trailed the Baltimore Ravens 41-31 with just over a minute left at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. With the Buccaneers facing 3rd-and-17 at their own 18, quarterback Baker Mayfield hit Godwin up the middle just a couple of yards short of the sticks.
Godwin powered his way between two Ravens defenders to get the first down. But after violently getting taken down by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, Godwin could no longer get up.
ESPN did not show a replay of the tackle probably due to the nature of Godwin’s injury. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles revealed after the game that Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle.
Godwin’s Buccaneers teammates were kneeling and praying close by as the 28-year-old was assisted by medical personnel. Godwin also shared an emotional embrace with Mayfield before being carted off the field.
Tampa Bay lost 41-31, but the game’s result likely felt inconsequential to the Buccaneers’ players and coaching staff. Aside from Godwin, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans was also injured during the contest.
Godwin and Evans are far and away the Buccaneers’ top two receiving threats. The two Pro Bowlers have a combined 11 of the team’s 18 receiving touchdowns through seven games. Godwin and Evans rank first and second on the team respectively in targets, catches, and receiving yards.
With Godwin slated to be a free agent in the offseason, it is possible that Monday’s game against the Ravens was his last in a Buccaneers uniform.
