Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Expecting Key Players Back Ahead Of Marquee Game Against Philadelphia Eagles

Justin Rimpi

The Tampa Bay faithful have been holding their breath for weeks, watching their beloved Buccaneers limp through the early season like a ship navigating rough waters without its best crew members. But Sunday’s clash with Philadelphia might finally signal the end of Tampa Bay’s injury nightmare. Will it lead to a win on the gridiron?

The Long-Awaited Return Of the Buccaneers’ Dynamic Duo

After what feels like an eternity of watching backup players fill crucial roles, the Buccaneers are getting their superstars back just in time. Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs, two absolute studs who’ve been sidelined since the preseason, appear ready to suit up for Week 4’s showdown with the Eagles.

Godwin hasn’t stepped foot on an NFL field since that gruesome ankle injury back in Week 7 of last season. Yeah, you read that right – we’re talking about nearly a year on the sidelines for one of the league’s most reliable pass-catchers. The man was absolutely torching defenses before that injury, and his return couldn’t come at a better time with Mike Evans nursing a hamstring issue.

Wirfs, meanwhile, has been Tampa Bay’s anchor at left tackle when healthy. The All-Pro has been rehabbing from a knee surgery, leaving the Buccaneers’ offensive line looking like Swiss cheese through the first three weeks. With three of their five starting linemen either injured or playing out of position, getting Wirfs back is like finding water in the desert.

Why This Matters More Than You Think For the Buccaneers

Let’s be real here – the Buccaneers have been playing with house money through three weeks, somehow staying competitive despite fielding what looked more like a practice squad than an NFL starting lineup at times. Cody Mauch is done for the season, Luke Goedeke’s on IR, and the guys filling in have been doing their best impression of turnstiles.

Getting Wirfs back doesn’t just mean better pass protection for Baker Mayfield (who, by the way, is also dealing with a biceps issue but should play). It means Graham Barton and Ben Bredeson can slide back to their natural positions instead of playing musical chairs along the offensive line.

The Emotional Return Everyone’s Been Waiting For

There’s something poetic about Godwin’s potential return. This guy has been grinding through rehab for months, probably dreaming about that first moment he steps back onto the Raymond James Stadium turf. When his name gets called during player introductions on Sunday, expect the crowd to lose their minds.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect either. With Evans sidelined, the Buccaneers desperately need a proven veteran to step up alongside rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka. Godwin brings that steady presence and route-running precision that makes Baker’s job infinitely easier.

Head Coach Todd Bowles struck an optimistic tone Friday, noting that both players are “trending in the right direction.” That’s coach-speak for “barring any last-minute setbacks, these guys are good to go.”

The Buccaneers’ Championship Window Reopens

Tampa Bay entered this season with legitimate playoff aspirations, but injuries threatened to derail those dreams before they even got started. Getting two All-Pro caliber players back in one week? That is the kind of boost that can completely flip a season’s trajectory.

The Eagles are coming to town at 1 p.m. Sunday, and they are about to face a completely different Buccaneers team than the one that’s been limping through September. Sometimes in the NFL, it’s not about how you start – it is about getting healthy at the right time.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

More Great Content