The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ showdown with the Baltimore Ravens was all but decided as the fourth quarter ticked down, with a 41-31 scoreline suggesting a slim chance of a comeback. However, despite the lopsided score, head coach Todd Bowles kept his starters on the field, including star wide receiver Chris Godwin, hoping for a miraculous finish on “Monday Night Football.” That decision would prove costly.

With just 59 seconds left in the game, Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle, leaving him writhing in pain on the field. The injury was severe enough that ESPN chose not to air replays due to its graphic nature. Fans in the stadium could only watch as Godwin was carted off, his season abruptly ended. According to reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Godwin will undergo surgery this week.

The decision to leave Godwin on the field, especially with wide receiver Mike Evans already sidelined due to injury, drew immediate criticism. Many questioned whether it was worth the risk to have key players in a game that appeared lost. Bowles, however, defended the call.

“We don’t second-guess,” Bowles told the media after the game. “We had a shot, and we were playing everyone we had. Unfortunately, Chris got hurt. It’s tough, but he’s a football player. He wanted to be out there, just like Baker [Mayfield] and the rest of the guys.”

At that point in the game, the Buccaneers were down 41-18 with less than four minutes remaining. Tampa Bay then scored twice, closing the gap. With 94 seconds left on the clock, they were 75 yards from the end zone with no timeouts, needing two scores to win.

Bowles emphasized that he always prioritizes player safety but felt the team still had a chance to win. “I protect my players all the time,” Bowles stated. “This wasn’t about that. We had a shot to score, and things like this happen in football.”

The Buccaneers’ loss dropped them to a 4-3 record, tying them with the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South Division lead. Adding to the injury woes, Mike Evans aggravated a hamstring injury during the game, putting further strain on an already struggling Buccaneers squad.

Before the injury, Godwin had been putting together a stellar season, recording 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns. On Monday night, he had seven receptions for 65 yards, continuing his impressive performance in a contract year.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed his sorrow for Godwin after the game. “This really sucks,” Mayfield said. “Chris deserves better. He’s been an unbelievable teammate and has been playing lights out this year. We’re all heartbroken for him.”

Despite the tough circumstances, Mayfield didn’t fault Bowles for leaving the starters in. “We talked about it on the sidelines,” Mayfield shared. “If we scored quickly, we had a chance. We had already gotten an onside kick earlier in the game, and we thought we might be able to get another one. Everyone wanted to fight for a chance.”

The Buccaneers now face a critical game against the Atlanta Falcons in six days, with both teams vying for the top spot in their division. The loss of Godwin will be a significant blow, but the team will need to regroup and find a way forward without their star receiver.