Chris Godwin smilingChris Godwin (Photo via ESPN)
Online lip readers have revealed what Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin said while sitting in a cart following an injury so gruesome that ESPN refused to show a replay.

Godwin had his leg trapped under Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith after being tackled following a catch over the middle with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter of the ‘Monday Night Football’ clash.

“I’m told by our production truck we are not going to show the replay,” ESPN’s Joe Buck said.

Buck and his partner, Troy Aikman, had only just wondered whether the Bucs should let the clock run out instead of putting their players in harm’s way before Godwin sustained the season-ending injury.

The wideout is now set for surgery on his dislocated ankle, which comes at the worst time, given that he’s headed into free agency.

Cameras panned to the player while he was seated in a cart with his leg in an air cast.

Lip readers reckon he said “back to work” in the clip shown below:

“What a tough mother ….  Wow.  I have nothing but respect for this guy,” a fan said in the comments.

“Well stated… One of the most incredible reactions at the time. Great tv coverage to get that too. How can you not root and pray for this man,” another wrote.

“No doubt, the look on his face like he is already starting the process of getting back is rare,” said a third.

 

What Todd Bowles Had To Say About Chris Godwin’s Injury

After the game, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was asked why he kept Godwin on the field despite his team being down by 10 with less than a minute to play.

“We’re just trying to win the ballgame,” he replied. “We’re still down 10, trying to get extra points, kick another onside kick. It just happened.

“We’ve got our guys, we’re playing everybody we’ve got. It’s unfortunate he got hurt. We feel bad about that. But he’s a football player, and he wanted to be in the game just like Baker [Mayfield] and everybody else wanted to be in the game.”

Bowles has been slammed for the decision, while there have been claims of him being ignorant of the rules. However, the Bucs would have been permitted to attempt another onside kick if they scored.

NFL Fans Are Destroying Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles For His Foolish Decision That Cost Superstar WR Chris Godwin His Entire Season For No Reason At All

Todd Bowles looking on during game (left). Chris Godwin being carted off (right).Todd Bowles and Chris Godwin (Photos by Getty Images)
NFL fans are ripping on Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles for playing star wide receiver Chris Godwin in garbage time before the latter suffered a gruesome ankle injury in Monday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Todd Bowles opted to keep his starters on offense out with 1:34 remaining and his team down 41-31. Baker Mayfield completed a 21-yard pass to Godwin at the Tampa 39, who unfortunately suffered a horrific ankle injury on the play.

The 28-year-old Godwin was down for several minutes and had to be carted off. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bowles said after the game that Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle.

The Bucs also lost fellow superstar wideout Mike Evans in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Evans suffered the injury as he was falling to the ground after Mayfield missed him on a pass to the end zone.

Todd Bowles received immense criticism from fans for keeping Godwin in the game late, even though the Ravens had the game in the bag:

Todd Bowles received immense criticism from fans for keeping Godwin in the game late, even though the Ravens had the contest in the bag:

Godwin is the Buccaneers’ leading receiver with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. The Super Bowl 55 champion is in his contract year and could hit free agency for the first time in his career next March, so there’s a real possibility that he has already played his last game with Tampa.

Playoff Hopes For Todd Bowles & Buccaneers Now In Jeopardy

With Godwin and Evans injured, the Bucs’ playoff hopes suddenly took a significant blow. As good as Mayfield has been in Tampa, almost no QB can get through a tough schedule like the Bucs’ without their two superstar wide receivers.

If Tampa Bay loses to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Kirk Cousins’ squad will have swept the season series. And with a rash of injuries to go along with their miserable schedule, it’d be hard for the Bucs to sneak into the postseason.