Luke Goedeke
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Luke Goedeke.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have largely grabbed headlines this season over 2 things — winning games and losing players to injuries.
Now, headed into the second half of the season after a bye in Week 9, maybe it’s time to switch one of those around.
The Buccaneers got some huge injury news for their stretch run on Monday, November 3, with the practice window opened for right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke after he missed the last 6 games with a foot injury.
The Buccaneers are 6-2 headed into a Week 10 home game against the New England Patriots, who are in first place in the AFC East.
“Bucs announce they are opening the 21-day practice window for tackle Luke Goedeke,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account. “Good news on injury front as they return from their bye … Goedeke returning to practice is a big first step as he returns from a September foot injury. Has three weeks to be activated but could be back on the 53 at any point.”
Veteran Charlie Heck has stepped in to start for Goedeke in the 6 games he’s been out of the lineup.
“TheBuccaneers have announced that they’re opening the 21-day practice window for TLuke Goedeke,” Sleeper Bucs wrote on its official X account. “He has 3 weeks to be activated but this is great news as they return from their bye.”
Injury Problems for Buccaneers on Offensive Line
Of the 5 projected starters on the Buccaneers offensive line before the season, 3 have missed multiple games due to injuries.
NFL All-Pro left offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs missed the first 3 games after undergoing offseason knee surgery and guard Cody Mauch was ruled out for the season after injuring his knee in a Week 2 win over the Houston Texans — the same game Goedeke was injured.
“Luke Goedeke begins his 21-day practice window,” 10 Tampa Bay Sports Director Evan Clancey wrote on his official X account on November 3. “His return to play is on the horizon. Huge news for Buccaneers fans.”
Goedeke Got Super Paid in Offseason
The Buccaneers signed Wirfs to the biggest contract for an offensive lineman in NFL history with a 5-year, $140.6 million contract extension in 2024. They followed that up with a mega deal for Goedeke on September 2 with a 4-year, $90 million contract extension.
“TheBucs have agreed to terms with their standout OTLuke Goedeke, as he gets a 4-year, $90M deal — $22.5M APY — that includes $50M guaranteed,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on September 2. “Tampa Bay locks up another key O-lineman.”
Goedeke’s new deal made him the third highest paid right offensive tackle in the NFL behind Detroit’s Penei Sewell ($28.1 million APY) and Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson ($25 million APY).
From Division III to NFL Stardom
Goedeke, 6-foot-5 and 312 pounds, had an unusual path to cashing in on NFL riches. He started his college career as a tight end at NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point before he transferred to Central Michigan, where he switched positions to offensive tackle and was an All-MAC selection in 2021.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected Goedeke as a second or third round pick in his pre-draft evaluation. The Buccaneers selected Goedeke in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.