Category: Latest Team News

Former Bucs QB named as semi-finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Bucs can add another name to the fold in the form of a contributor role from one of their earlier quarterbacks in franchise history.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a long and storied history, including several Hall of Famers like Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, and Lee Roy Selmon. In 2025, the Bucs can add another name to the fold in the form of a contributor role from one of their earlier quarterbacks in franchise history.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced nine semi-finalists for its contributor induction spot, and former Bucs quarterback Doug Williams made the cut.

Williams played quarterback for the Bucs from 1978 to 1982. He passed for 73 touchdowns and went 33-33-1 as the team’s starter. He parlayed his time in Tampa Bay into time in Washington, where he made history as the first to start in and win a Super Bowl, he was also named the MVP in that Super Bowl.

Since his playing time ended, he has worked in several front offices and has played a major role in increasing the chances of black quarterbacks succeeding.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield will not be punished for Zyn use on sideline

Going back to Week 7 against the Ravens, the injuries the Bucs suffered covered up much of what everyone remembered from that game. 

Returning to Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, the Bucs’ injuries covered up much of what everyone remembered from that game. For the NFL, they remember something else that Baker Mayfield did on the sideline of that game.

During the broadcast, Mayfield was seen taking a Zyn pouch and putting it in his mouth. For those unaware, Zyn is a nicotine product that the NFL prohibits from the sidelines, let alone from being used.

Jenna Laine of ESPN reported that the NFL reviewed the matter and concluded that it would not punish Mayfield for the use.

Mayfield’s play has been discussed in recent weeks, so it is likely to be rinsed through the news cycle. What fans and media are much more concerned about is his consistency. The team has scored over 30 points per game in its last four games but is only 1-3 in those.

The defense needs to perform better, but Mayfield also has seven turnovers in those games, and they are making a difference.

Bucs WR Mike Evans expected to be out until Week 12

Soft tissue injuries have always been a tricky thing to deal with and typically come with an injury designation for a couple of weeks.

Soft tissue injuries have always been a tricky thing to deal with and typically come with an injury designation for a couple of weeks.

For Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans, who was on the injury report all week with a hamstring- noticeably and severely reaggravated his hamstring injury on a layout attempt to haul in his second receiving touchdown of the night in the Bucs 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Evans was able to walk off the field under his own power, but he went straight to the locker room to be evaluated and never returned to the game. Speaking to the media Monday, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles announced that Evans suffered a “moderate” hamstring injury that will likely keep him out through the team’s bye week in Week 11.

With Chris Godwin likely done for the season and Evans now slated to miss key games against the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers, wide receiver becomes a troublesome position. It may force GM Jason Licht to move some of his coveted draft stock to acquire someone to help fill the gap and avoid further derailing the Buccaneers’ 2024 season.

Chris Godwin to undergo surgery and likely miss the remainder of the season

Chris Godwin is set to undergo ankle surgery this week for a dislocated ankle and is expected to fully recover for the 2025 season.

Monday night’s 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens ultimately proved to be a disaster for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rather than just a loss on their record. As reported by Ian Rapoport, Chris Godwin is set to undergo ankle surgery this week for a dislocated ankle and is expected to fully recover for the 2025 season.

With 1:04 remaining in the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin connected for a 21-yard reception as the Bucs attempted a comeback. That is when the worst-case scenario occurred: Godwin went down with an obvious gruesome injury. Joe Buck announced that ESPN decided the injury was ugly enough not to show the replay.

As Godwin was carted off the field with his left leg in an air cast, you could see him mouthing the words “back to work” as he appeared to know the extent of his injury already and had his mind set on rehabbing and getting back to the field as soon as possible. Godwin, playing in the final year of his contract, was on pace for a career year with 121 receptions, 1398 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield comments on Chris Godwin’s injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did more than just lose a football game on Monday, they lost their heart and soul on offense. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did more than just lose a football game on Monday, they lost their heart and soul on offense. The Bucs did their best to fight back into a game that saw them down significantly but it came at a cost.

That cost was Chris Godwin’s ankle, dislocated in the game’s final minute against the Ravens.

Godwin has been on pace for a career year, trending towards 1,447 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. All that was coming alongside Mike Evans, who caught his 100th receiving touchdown on Monday. In their years together, they proved to be a lethal threat in the passing game, and now Baker Mayfield is without them.

Mayfield commented post-game that “It absolutely sucks…Chris (Godwin) deserves better than that. He’s an unbelievable guy, unbelievable teammate.”

The Bucs offense will have its work cut out finding a way to replace his production on the field and his leadership off of it.

Buccaneers injury update: Chris Godwin exits game with ankle injury

The Bucs wide receiver suffered a gruesome leg injury that could knock him out for an extended period.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The night went badly enough for the Buccaneers, but it ended with the worst case scenario.

With the Bucs’ Monday Night Football matchup with the Baltimore Ravens out of reach, wide receiver Chris Godwin suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury in the closing minute of the game.

Chris Godwin injury update

His leg was put into an air cast, and he was carted off the field. The injury was bad enough that the ESPN broadcast did not replay it. At his post-game press conference, coach Todd Bowles confirmed the injury to be a discolated ankle, but its severity was undetermined.

Bowles provided no timetable for Godwin’s return.

Godwin’s injury had no impact on the game’s outcome, which the Ravens had well in hand 41-31 with less than two minutes remaining. Instead, the Bucs could be without their leading receiver for the rest of the season.

The loss of Godwin comes on top of Mike Evans’ exit early in the game with a hamstring injury. Facing a major divisional game with the Atlanta Falcons next week, the Bucs could be without both of their starting receivers with the NFC South lead on the line.

Buccaneers injury update: Tykee Smith ruled out with a concussion

Tampa Bay’s starting nickel cornerback left the Bucs’ matchup with the Baltimore Ravens with an apparent head injury.

The hits keep coming for Tampa Bay’s secondary.

Nickel cornerback Tykee Smith has been ruled out the Buccaneers’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion. He left the game as the Ravens were angling for scoring position near the end of the second quarter.

The Bucs’ defense struggled to contain the Ravens’ offense through the second quarter, allowing them to score 17 unanswered points. Smith had his part to play, running past Justice Hill toward Lamar Jackson as the two connected on a screen pass for a touchdown to put the Ravens up 14-10.

If Smith is ruled out, he will be replaced by second-year defensive back Christian Izien, who was Tampa Bay’s starting nickel last year. The Bucs are already missing starting CB Jamel Dean, who was put on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Mike Evans injury updates: Latest news following exit against Ravens

The Buccaneers receiver left the game after dropping a potential touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens.

Star wide receiver Mike Evans left the Buccaneers’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with an apparent hamstring injury. He was targeted for a deep shot in the end zone but dropped it before grabbing at his leg.

He was able to walk off the field on his own and immediately headed to the locker room.

Mike Evans injury update

Evans was ruled out for the remainder of the game and will not return against the Ravens. Given his status coming into the game on Monday night, the question now begins to grow.

Evans had been nursing a hamstring injury that kept him limited in practice most of last week. However, he did not have an actual injury designation entering tonight’s game.

Quotes from coaches/players

Bucs WR depth chart

  • Chris Godwin
  • Jalen McMillan
  • Trey Palmer
  • Sterling Shepard

Shepard has shown a connection with Baker Mayfield in recent weeks, so look for him to pick up some target share in Evans’ absence.

WATCH: Bucs WR Mike Evans scores his 100th career receiving TD

It took Mike Evans less than five minutes into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 7 matchup to enter the history books.

It took Mike Evans less than five minutes into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 7 matchup vs the Baltimore Ravens for Baker Mayfield and Evans to connect on a 25-yard touchdown catch.

Already moving up in history to the Top 30 in all-time receiving yards in Week 5, Evans moves up another all-time ladder as Evans hits the century mark with 100 career receiving touchdowns and is now tied with Hall of Famers Steve Largent and Tim Brown with the ninth-most in NFL history. Evans is the only active player with 100 career touchdown catches.

The next hurdle is TE Tony Gonzalez—oh look, another Hall of Famer—who has 111 career touchdowns. While Jerry Rice’s 197 touchdowns are likely one of those records that will never could, however, be broken, Evan finds himself moving towards the Top 5 all-time over the next couple of seasons.

4. Cris Carter (Hall of Fame) – 130 TDs

5. Marvin Harrison (Hall of Fame) – 128 TDs

6. Larry Fitzgerald – 121 TDs

7. Antonio Gates – 116 TDs

8. Tony Gonzalez (Hall of Fame) -111 TDs

As Evans ascends up the receiving mountain, he’s becoming surrounded by more Hall of Fame players, whether they have been inducted already or will be, such as WR Larry Fitzgerald and TE Antonio Gates.

Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Marvin Harrison are the only four players in NFL history who have reached 100 receiving touchdowns faster than Evans, the 18th receiver in history to eclipse 12,000 yards with a single team.

Bucs announce roster moves ahead of Week 7 matchup against the Ravens

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made several roster moves ahead of their Week 7 matchup in primetime against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made several roster moves ahead of their primetime Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

On Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed cornerback Jamel Dean and wide receiver Kameron Johnson on injured reserve. In a positive move, the team has activated defensive lineman Earnest Brown IV from Injured Reserve and punter Trenton Gill.

Brown IV was placed on Injured Reserve earlier in the season and has not played in the 2024 season. He previously played in 12 games for the Bucs and had 14 tackles in those games. For Gill, he has played in three games for the Bucs this year and has a net punt average of 36.2 yards.

The loss of Dean will mean that Zyon McCollum and rookie Tykee Smith will have larger roles going forward. Both have had their moments in recent weeks, highlighted by Smith, who, in Week 6, played well enough to be nominated for NFC Rookie of the Week.