TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The sight of Mike Evans stretched out on the ground in the back of the end zone and then limping with a hamstring injury was bad enough. When Tampa Bay’s other top receiver, Chris Godwin, went down in the final minute of a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, an already frustrating night became even more disappointing for the Buccaneers.

“I have a heavy heart right now,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “It’s never something you want to see happen to any of your guys.”

Evans left the game early after previously taking a TD pass of 25 meters of Mayfield to become the 11th player in NFL history with at least 100 career touchdown receptions. He also joined Hall of Famers Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens as the only players to reach 100 in their first eleven seasons.

Godwin injured his left ankle late in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach, forcing coach Todd Bowles to explain why Godwin – off to the best start of his career – was still on the field.

Especially since Evans was already limping with what the Bowles described as a nagging injury last week.

“He’s a player. We’re trying to win the ball game. We were still down 10, we’re trying to get extra points and get another offside,” Bowles said. “It just happened. With Mike (Evans) going down, we didn’t have that many receivers left, so we’re playing what we have.

Evans, who missed two days of practice last week, appeared to aggravate the injury on the scoring reception. Mayfield almost connected in the end zone again in the second quarter, but this time the ball flew off Evans’ hands as he and Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens went to the ground.

Evans remained on the ground for several minutes before being helped to his feet and limping to the locker room.

Mayfield said he can’t remember ever being part of a team that lost two players who meant as much to the Bucs as Godwin and Evans in the same game.

“Definitely not two of the guys that are the huge heartbeat of this team,” the quarterback said.

“But like I said, we have to find a way. … We’re going to play Atlanta at home next week for first place in the division,” Mayfield added. “I have to take guys a step further. That’s just the way it is. There is no other way around it.”

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AP N.F.L.: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl