Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Chris Godwin was carted off the field after suffering a horrific leg injury at the end of a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Buccaneers were almost mathematically out of the contest, trailing by 10 with 1:03 left and facing a third-and-17 from their own 18-yard line. Quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with his star wideout over the middle on an in-route to secure the first down.
Godwin came down awkwardly on a tackle by Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith, appearing to roll over awkwardly on his ankle. The ESPN camera quickly panned away as his foot was sticking out perpendicularly from the other.
The medical team quickly rushed out to cart Godwin off the field. He received a standing ovation from the fans still in attendance. Mayfield came over and gave his star receiver a hug as the pair shared an emotional moment.
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Head coach Todd Bowles stated after the game that the team believes Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle. According to NFL Insider Ian Rapaport, the injury would keep him out “indefinitely.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a dislocated ankle would end Godwin’s season. The player is a pending free agent after the season and may have played his final snap as a Buccaneer.
Godwin caught seven passes for 65 yards on the night. He entered the contest with the fourth-most receptions in the NFL (43) and tied for the second-most touchdowns (5) in the league.
Mike Evans also left Tampa Bay’s Monday Night defeat with injury
If this was his last game with the franchise, Godwin would finish his Tampa Bay career with the second most receptions, receiving yards, and receiving yards in team history.
Godwin wasn’t the only Buccaneers wideout to leave the game injury: star Mike Evans reaggravated a hamstring injury in the second quarter and did not return.
Many were confused as to why Godwin was still in the game with under a minute to go and the Buccaneers requiring the miracle of all miracles to even have a prayer. At one point, they were trailing 41-18 with under four minutes to go.
ESPN’s Ryan Clark tweeted, “Man!! If they won’t even show it I can imagine how devastating an injury Godwin suffered. I hate that for him so much man. Garbage time ball too. Heartbreaking.”
Bowles looked to clarify the reason for leaving his star in the game. “We were still down 10. We’re tying to get extra points and kick another onside kick.”
Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense will look to rebound next week without their two top receivers next week against the Atlanta Falcons.
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