In the whirlwind that is the NFL, everything can flip on its head in a split second. One minute, fans are riding high. And the next? Their hearts are on the floor. That’s what the Buccaneers went through in Week 7 when their promising season hit a major speed bump. Leaving everyone wondering what’s next!

It all started with Chris Godwin‘s dislocated left ankle during a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Social media lit up with updates, and NFL insiders weren’t holding back. Ian Rapoport tweeted last night that Godwin will undergo surgery today. He has a new update for all the fans. He tweeted, “#Bucs WR Chris Godwin is having surgery today to repair his dislocated ankle. Going into it, tests were as good as they could’ve been, sources say. No one knows how long TB’s season will last, but there is even an outside possibility Godwin returns. Not likely. But slight.” Oof, right?

Coach Todd Bowles didn’t sugarcoat it either. “There’s a chance if we make a late playoff run, he could be back, but he’s going to be out.” That blew a hole through Buccaneers fans’ hopes like a cannonball.

Godwin’s misfortune happened late in the game when he got tackled from behind by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. The hit was so tough that even ESPN decided not to show a replay. Godwin had to be carted off the field, his left leg wrapped up in an air cast.

Before going down, he was killing it this season. Dude led the league with 50 receptions, snagging second in receiving yards with 576, and tied for third in touchdown catches with five. Losing that kinda firepower? It’s like losing a star player in a video game—complete chaos ensues!

Mike Evans’ hamstring injury and Buccaneers’ road ahead

But wait! As if Godwin’s injury wasn’t enough, Mike Evans was hit with a hamstring injury during the same game. Bowles called it a “moderate” strain. “He’s going to miss a couple of weeks,” he said, hinting that we might see Evans back around Week 11 or 12. Losing both of these guys is like salt in the wound, and you can bet fans are feeling it.

With Godwin and Evans sidelined, the Bucs have no choice but to lean on their younger guys. Enter rookie Jalen McMillan, along with Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard.

Coach Bowles is betting on these young guns, saying, “We believe in developing our young receivers and getting those guys ready to play.” Here’s hoping they can step up big time because the Bucs have some heavy hitters on deck, including matchups against the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers—talk about tough breaks!

Despite everything looking bleak, the Bucs still have their eyes on a wildcard playoff spot. Winning the NFC South title seems like a pipe dream after this. But they are yet to throw the towel. Bowles made it clear they wanna work with what they’ve got. “If there are smart moves out there for us to make, we’re definitely looking to make moves… but we feel comfortable with the guys we have in here now.” That’s a solid show of faith in the roster!

What’s next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? With Chris Godwin and Evans both out, the team is facing quite the uphill battle. It’s gonna test their grit and determination, but there’s no denying the support within this team. As Bowles said, “Our prayers go out to him… Chris is a hell of a player and a hell of a human being.” Sure, it’s a bumpy road ahead. But if any team can power through, it’s the Bucs!