ESPN “Monday Night Football” play-by-player Joe Buck told The Athletic he is “sick” after his warning to the Buccaneers about prioritizing health over an improbable win proved accurate as Tampa Bay receiver Chris Godwin sustained a gruesome ankle injury that will likely end his season.
“You kind of feel sick that happened,” Buck said to The Athletic.
Buck was basically begging the Buccaneers to take their guys out late while they attempted a comeback during the 41-31 loss, as Tampa Bay trailed by as many as 24 points during the fourth quarter before some fortunate bounces made the score look closer
Their final drive started at their own 25-yard line down 10 points with no timeouts and just 1:34 remaining, making a comeback nearly impossible.
“I know it’s a 10-point game, and I know you don’t give up on games, but at some point, you want to get out of here and live to fight another day,” Buck said on the ESPN telecast during the drive.
Just moments later, Godwin suffered an injury that will sideline him for at least the rest of the regular season while making a 21-yard catch.
ESPN refused to show the replay due to the gruesome nature of the injury.
Godwin was carted off and diagnosed with a dislocated ankle.
“I’d rather be wrong,” Buck continued, reflecting on the injury after. “I would rather nothing had happened. Not that anybody is different than anybody else, but Godwin is one of the really great guys in the league.”
Buck and the two teams then had to continue on while knowing Godwin’s season may have just ended, a brutal reality for those involved in the sport.
“It’s just too bad for Tampa Bay. Their whole season could’ve changed here with what transpired with [Mike] Evans going down early with a hamstring — that didn’t look good,” Buck said during the broadcast. “And that injury with Godwin was not pretty enough that our production truck said we aren’t gonna show it again. I’m sure it’ll get out there, but it just did not look good on his lower left leg.”
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles has defended having Godwin in the game at that point, noting a lack of available options since Evans exited the game earlier with a hamstring injury.
“He’s a player. We’re trying to win the ballgame,” Bowles said. “We were still down 10. We’re trying to get extra points and kick another onside kick. [The injury] just happened.”
The Buccaneers will now have to navigate without Godwins and Evans, who is not expected to return until after the team’s Week 11 bye at the earliest.
