Chris Godwin will likely suffer a season-ending ankle injury after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star receiver had to be carted off the Raymond James Stadium field during “Monday Night Football” against the Baltimore Ravens.

However, Bucs fans still have a bone to pick with head coach Todd Bowles, as Godwin’s injury came at a bad time: 43 seconds left with Tampa Bay trailing Lamar Jackson and the Ravens by ten.

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

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

“He’s a player,” Bowles told reporters. “We’re trying to win the ball game. We were still down by 10. We’re trying to get extra points and kick another offside. (The injury) just happened.”

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

“We didn’t have as many receivers as it was,” Bowles said. “So we play what we have.”

BUCS STAR CHRIS GODWIN SUFFERS MAJOR ANKLE INJURY BROADCAST WILL NOT SHOW IN LOSS TO RAVENS

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

Trainers quickly rushed outside to assess the situation, and Godwin was eventually placed in an air cushion and carted off the field. Bowles told reporters after the game that the early prognosis was a dislocated ankle – an injury that would be season-ending based on recovery time.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Godwin, who ranks second in receiving yards in the NFL this season, will be a free agent after this year.

Smith’s tackle is currently under investigation by the NFL as it appears to contain all the elements of a hip-drop tackle – a maneuver the league is trying to eliminate from the game. However, penalties or suspensions for these types of tackles are not the way the league enforces this.

If the NFL considers Smith’s tackle a hip drop, he should be fined instead, according to ESPN.

The last thing the Buccaneers wanted to see Monday night was two of their best offensive weapons going down at the same time with serious injuries. While Godwin could miss the rest of the year, Evans’ hamstring injury is so serious that he will likely be out until after the Week 11 farewell game for Tampa Bay, according to multiple reports.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles arrives for a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. (Matthew Hinton-Imagn images)

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The Bucs have a very important divisional game scheduled against the Atlanta Falcons, to whom they lost in overtime earlier this season. The meeting will determine who owns the top spot in the NFC South after Week 8.

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