Bucs coach Todd Bowles said receivers Chris Godwin Jr., Mike Evans and running back Bucky Irving will miss the game against the 49ers.
TAMPA, Florida — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without their two best receivers open when they receive San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Chris Godwin Jr.who made his season debut during last week’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with a fibula injury. He head coach Todd Bowles declared this Friday that Godwin will be “week to week,” adding that his fellow veteran catcher Mike Evanswho has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, will also be out this week.
To aggravate the situation of the Bucs offensehe corredor Bucky Irvingthe team’s leading rusher, will miss his second straight game with foot and shoulder injuries, he said. Bowles. Rachaad White had 41 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Seattle in Irving’s absence.
Godwin deals with new injury unrelated to the ankle dislocation he suffered last October, which required two surgeries and a grueling 11-month recovery.
He played the entirety of last Sunday’s 38-35 victory over the Seahawks, but was seen limping late in the game.
Con Godwin and Evans outgo BUCs will depend on rookie catcher Emeka Egbukawho has five touchdowns in his first five games of the NFL. He had 163 receiving yards, a touchdown and a 2-point conversion against the Seahawks. The team will also lean on Sterling Shepard, who scored the tying touchdown against Seattle late in the fourth quarter and whose 191 receiving yards rank second among the team’s receivers. Rookie Tez Johnson also saw his role increase in Seattle with 59 receiving yards, and Tampa Bay got tight end Cade Otton more involved in the passing game.
Bowles also said the Bucs will be without cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison against San Francisco.
The Bucs have lost to the 49ers in four straight attempts dating back to 2019. Their last win was at home in 2018.
