Bucs' Todd Bowles defends decision to keep Chris Godwin in game despite small chance of winning

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Chris Godwin is likely to have a season-ending ankle injury after the star Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver needed to be carted off the Raymond James Stadium field on "Monday Night Football" against the Baltimore Ravens.

Bucs fans have a bone to pick with head coach Todd Bowles, though, as Godwin’s injury came in garbage time — 43 seconds left to play with Tampa Bay down 10 to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. 

Bowles, though, defended his decision to keep Godwin and his other starters out on the field during his postgame presser. 

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is carted off of the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.  (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

"He’s a player," Bowles told reporters. "We’re trying to win the ballgame. We were still down 10. We’re trying to get extra points and kick another onside kick. [The injury] just happened."

Bowles added that the hamstring injury Mike Evans sustained earlier in the game left the Bucs with just four healthy receivers, making it necessary for Godwin to be in the game despite the score and time on the clock.

"We didn’t have that many receivers left as it was," Bowles said. "So, we play what we got."

BUCS STAR CHRIS GODWIN SUFFERS GRUESOME ANKLE INJURY BROADCAST WON'T SHOW IN LOSS TO RAVENS

The injury occurred when Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith rolled on top of Godwin’s ankle while making a tackle, and ESPN wouldn’t show the replay of the injury because it was clear something bad happened to Godwin’s left ankle. 

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