Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles defended his decision to keep Chris Godwin in the game, even as Tampa's chances of a win looked slim, citing a potential season-ending decision late in the Bucs' 41-31 loss to the Ravens. I suffered some injuries.
Godwin dislocated his ankle after being tackled by Roquan Smith with less than a minute left in the game and had to be carted off the field.
Godwin is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery this week. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The serious injury is the second injury sustained by a Buccaneers receiver during Monday's game, with Mike Evans also leaving early in the first half with a hamstring issue.
“He's a player. We're trying to win ballgames.” Bowles said of the decision to keep Godwin in the game. “We were still down by 10 points and we were trying to get the extra point and take another onside kick. [The injury] It just happened. ”
Bowles refused to second-guess his decision, saying it was “unfortunate” that Godwin suffered the injury.
“I can say that because he got hurt. We don't second-guess,” Bowles said. “We've got guys, we're playing with everyone we've got. It's unfortunate that he got hurt, but he's a football player and like Baker, he wants to be out there.” [Mayfield] And everyone else wanted to be in the game. ”
The Bucs head coach pushed back on the idea that he wasn't protecting Godwin and that they view this as a situation where they think they can find a way to win.
“We still had a chance to score and win the ball game. That happens. That happens in football,” he said.
Tampa is now 4-3 on the season, the same record as their NFC South rival Falcons, who head into a key showdown with Atlanta this weekend.
