The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are licking their wounds after the 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions that also saw Mike Evans break his collarbone.
With the treatment room filling up yet again, the Buccaneers badly need some good fortune to go their way. Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin are the two who are most likely to return in the near future, and with Baker Mayfield's weapons dwindling by the week, it is hoped the pair can return soon.
But with just one game before the bye week, Tampa Bay has an interesting decision when it comes to Godwin and Irving. Try to get them to play, or wait until after the bye week.
A big part of that is how the pair are traveling in their recovery, and head coach Todd Bowles gave an update on Godwin and Irving.
“They're getting better," Bowles said. "I don't know how close they are yet. We'll see what the update is."
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Buccaneers face delicate balancing act for injured duo
With the Saints game then the bye, the Buccaneers could get another two weeks of rehab into both Irving and Godwin, so that if the pair are to return in Week 10 against the New England Patriots, they will be 100 percent healthy.
Conversely, we saw last season how injuries nearly derailed Tampa Bay's season, as it lost four straight games before reinforcements arrived and the ship was steadied. Will Bowles want to risk his two star weapons? Not likely, but a decision has to be made, and against a division opponent, on the road, the Buccaneers will need all of their weapons.
Sitting at 5-2, the Buccaneers are in a good spot, and heading into the bye at 6-2 if they slay the Saints would be even better, and yes, having Godwin and Irving back would help with that, but I get the sense there will be no rush from the coaching staff to get the pair back, especially with the bye week around the corner.
Bowles says they are "getting better," but don't be surprised if the pair is wrapped in cotton wool for Week 8.
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