There's a lot going on this week with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but almost nobody is hyping the return of the creamsicles or the huge divisional matchup against the Falcons. Most of the attention has been somberly focused on the situation at wide receiver, which got pretty dire and grim on Monday night.
Over the course of 60 minutes, the Bucs lost both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injuries that will keep them out for an extended period of time. Evans is expected to be back after the bye week in November, but Godwin's season is over after he was placed on IR following ankle surgery this week.
That's been a cloud looming over everything, as the Bucs will be without their top two offensive weapons for perhaps their challenging stretch of the schedule. Tampa Bay has upcoming games against the Falcons, Chiefs, and 49ers -- in order -- which comes on the heels of a 41-31 loss to the Ravens.
All of that has understandably created some serious anxiety, especially considering the Bucs will have to get creative with how the passing game evolves over the next few weeks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR depth chart after Chris Godwin, Mike Evans injuries
Losing Evans and Godwin is brutal, but it's not fatal. Liam Coen has already noted that neither can simply be replaced one-to-one, but rather through different schemes. That puts the pressure on the collective group of healthy receivers, who have a chance to step up in the moment and shine.
Here's a look at who the Bucs have:
WR1 | WR2 | WR3 |
|---|---|---|
Trey Palmer | Jalen McMillan | Sterling Shepard |
Ryan Miller | Rakim Jarrett |
Two players not on that depth chart will likely be relied on rather heavily to help keep the passing game alive. Cade Otton has already started to make waves as a top target for Baker Mayfield, something that will only increase without Evans or Godwin.
Baker has historically leaned on his tight end and only recently started to move the ball around more confidently. It makes sense that without his top two targets, Baker will use Otton even more than he already does. The same could go for Rachaad White, a guy who many have labeled a better pass-catcher than a running back, which will come in handy over the next few games.
White leaning into his hybrid role as a Christian McCaffrey-lite or Alvin Kamara-eqsue threat makes a lot of sense.
The spotlight will be there for rookie Jalen McMillan to shine under, though. He was taken in the third round this year but has yet to fully take off in Coen's offense. That could all change quickly, as the stars have aligned for him to take that next big step toward establishing himself.
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