The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received disappointing injury news regarding running back Bucky Irving and wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
Bucs Injury News Regarding Three Key Players
Bucs WR Chris Godwin (fibula) is not expected to play Sunday vs. 49ers, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 10, 2025
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to be without several key players in Week 6.
Irving (foot/shoulder), Godwin (fibula), and Evans (hamstring) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Irving will miss his second consecutive game with foot and shoulder injuries. Heading into this season, Irving became the team’s starting running back over Rachaad White. Irving has 237 yards on 71 carries to go along with 19 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
White will be the Bucs’ No. 1 running back against the 49ers. Last week, White accumulated 41 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in the Bucs’ 38-35 road win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Godwin missed the first three games of the season due to an ankle injury suffered during the 2024 season. The All-Pro receiver has six receptions for 52 yards in two games.
Godwin did not reinjure his ankle. Instead, this is a new injury to his fibula described as “week to week.”
Finally, Evans will miss his third game with a hamstring injury. Evans caught 14 balls for 140 yards and one touchdown in three games this season.
Evans has an NFL record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. A 12th straight 1,000-yard season is now in jeopardy unless Evans returns to the field soon.
Tampa Bay Bucs Continue to Pull Out Wins
Baker Mayfield on changing perceptions of him: “Early on in my career it was ‘cocky, immature.’ Now it’s ‘moxie’ and ‘he’s a dog.’ Same sh— different day. As long as you play well, they change the narrative, but you’ve just gotta be yourself, and I’ve always been like that.” pic.twitter.com/0oNSiPmg3b
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 8, 2025
Even with injuries to starters, the Bucs own a 4-1 record and sit atop the NFC South.
The biggest reason for their success belongs to quarterback Baker Mayfield. Since arriving in Tampa, Mayfield has been playing like one of the 10 best quarterbacks in the NFL.
This season, Mayfield is arguably playing the best football of his career. Mayfield has thrown for 1,283 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception with a 68.1 QBR and a 65.1 completion percentage.
Buffalo’s Josh Allen (+155) is currently the MVP favorite on BetOnline. Mayfield (+500) is tied for second with Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (+500).
The Bucs’ late-game execution is superb. The Bucs have taken the lead in the final minute of the game in four of their wins.
The Bucs are a balanced squad — 7th in scoring offense (27.0) and 10th in scoring defense (27.0) — with veteran leadership and emerging studs, like wide receiver Emeka Ebuka, who has 25 receptions for 445 yards and five touchdowns.
Now, the Bucs (4-1) host the 49ers (4-1) for NFC supremacy on Sunday afternoon.
