Injuries have loomed large over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season, but so far they haven't proven to be fatal to the team's playoff aspirations.
Despite missing key players like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving, the Bucs enter Week 10 with control of the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a chance to move back into the top spot when the dust settles. The path there begins with a win over the Patriots on Sunday, which is a lot easier said than done.
Luckily, the Bucs will be getting a key member of the offense back just in time for kickoff. Offensive tackle Luke Goedeke was activated off IR this week and is set to make his return to the lineup against New England.
Geodeke has been out since Week 2, when he left the win over Houston early with a foot injury. He's played just a few quarters for the Bucs this season and his absence has been noticeable. While Charlie Heck tried to fill in, there's simply no replacing someone as important as Goedeke, who rejoins an offensive line that has been held together by duct tape and bubblegum.
Somehow the line hasn't broken, and against a tough defense like Vrabel's, getting Goedeke back now is a total blessing for the Bucs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers inactives for Week 10 vs. Patriots
While Goedeke is triumphantly returning, the Bucs will once again be without the core of Bucky, Godwin, and Evans on offense. Haason Reddick will also be out, again, which is less than ideal for a pass rush that's already teetering on the brink.
Two offensive guards are also out, with Luke Haggard and Elijah Klein both being healthy scratches. This is mostly due to the fact that Dan Feeney and Michael Jordan are dressing, as well as Charlie Heck and Ben Chukwuma.
Here's who else won't be suiting up for the Bucs in Week 10:
Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
Bucky Irving | RB | Foot/Shoulder |
Chris Godwin | WR | Fibula |
Haason Reddick | OLB | Ankle/Knee |
Markees Watts | OLB | Injury |
C.J. Brewer | DL | Healthy Scratch |
Elijah Klein | OG | Healthy Scratch |
Luke Haggard | OG | Healthy Scratch |
Not having the trio of Godwin, Irving, or Evans is tough but the Bucs have managed to find ways to win without a full deck on offense all season. Egbuka's clearly the No. 1 option but the emergence of Tez Johnson as a plucky alternative has been nice to see, and Cade Otton is always a reliable target.
The question is whether the red zone offense can start to pick up. That's where the Bucs have been bleeding all season, leaving valuable points on the field that would have gone a long way in making some of the narrow wins a little wider.