Already down Antonio Brown, Bucs lose Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injuries
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense has been in better shape.
Already down Antonio Brown, who remains suspended for misrepresenting his vaccination status, the Buccaneers saw their other two former All-Pro wideouts, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans go down with injuries within minutes of each other. Starting running back Leonard Fournette was later ruled out as well.
All three players would eventually be ruled out for the rest of the game.
Bucs lose 3 weapons vs. Saints
Godwin exited the game early in the second quarter after taking a rough, but legal, hit in the open field from New Orleans Saints safety P.J. Williams (video above). The hit appeared to cause Godwin's right leg to awkwardly bend.
Godwin remained on the ground in pain after the play, but eventually limped off the field and into the Buccaneers' medical tent. Godwin later emerged from the medical tent and could be seen jogging on the sideline, but never made it back into the game.
One drive after Godwin's injury, Evans left for the locker room after falling hard while making a catch. The Bucs initially ruled Evans doubtful to return with a hamstring injury and Godwin questionable with a knee injury, but later downgraded the two to out during halftime.
The injuries left the Buccaneers with three healthy receivers — Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller and Jaelon Darden — available for the rest of the game.
Fournette's injury came in the third quarter after an 8-yard run, in which he spun through their before landing awkwardly.
Leonard Fournette out here spinning like a helicopter #NOvsTB #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/upvCun3Fw3
— Dakota Fuqua (@DakotaFuqua7) December 20, 2021
Fournette was ruled out for the game minutes later with a hamstring injury. The sequence of events left the Buccaneers without four of their top receivers by receiving yards for the year, with only Rob Gronkowski remaining.
All those injuries added up for the Bucs, who were shut out for the first time since Tom Brady arrived in Tampa.