Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, 14, was injured in the closing minutes of the team’s loss to the Ravens and was forced off the field. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
On ESPN’s broadcast, both Troy Aikman and Joe Buck said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, trailing by 10 points to the Baltimore Ravens with less than a minute left, ran out the clock and put their players in danger. I wondered if I should continue. .
Then the Buccaneers lost one of their best players to a gruesome injury.
Receiver Chris Godwin caught a pass over the middle and had his leg pinned underneath by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. Godwin was unable to get up and Buck let everyone know how serious his injury was.
“The production truck told us they wouldn’t show the replay,” Buck said.
Buck called the injury “ugly” and Buccaneers players could be heard swearing. Godwin was carted away with his left leg in an air cast.
After the game, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Godwin appeared to have dislocated his ankle.
“It doesn’t look good,” Bowles said.
Godwin was also asked why he stayed in the game with the Bucks trailing by 10 points with less than a minute left in regulation.
“We’re just trying to win ballgames,” Bowles said. “We’re still down 10 points and trying to get another onside kick for the extra point. And then this happens.”
Baltimore won 41-31.
The Buccaneers lost receiver Mike Evans to a hamstring injury in the first half. Godwin then suffered an injury that will likely end his season.
Godwin was having a great year, entering Monday night’s game with 43 catches for 511 yards and five touchdowns. He had seven catches for 65 yards on nine targets.
The Buccaneers lost the game, but more importantly, they lost their top two receivers. In Godwin’s case, it looks like they won’t be getting him back anytime soon.
