Bucs' WRs thin as Godwin out with fibula injury, Egbuka hurt

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Week 6 with a 4-1 record but saw their receiving corps further depleted as veteran Chris Godwin was ruled out with a fibula injury and rookie Emeka Egbuka left Sunday’s game with a hamstring issue, leaving the team to rely on a shortened group of pass-catchers while monitoring the status of Mike Evans ahead of Week 7 preparations. Godwin’s absence was announced before kickoff, and Egbuka’s injury occurred late in the first half of the matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Coach Todd Bowles said after Friday’s practice that Godwin’s fibula injury is different from the ankle problem that ended his 2024 season, and called his status week to week. "It’s a different fibula. A different part of his leg. He is week to week with that one," Bowles said, adding that he did not see the play that caused the injury but observed Godwin limping off. Bowles also noted the difficulty of replacing top receivers, saying, "I do not think you can ever fill a void left by Mike and Chris."

Godwin and Evans had already missed significant time this season. Evans has been sidelined since aggravating a hamstring in Week 3 and missed his third consecutive game in Week 6....