The worst possible scenario transpired in the Bucs 9-0 loss to the Saints, as injuries to key players piled up for Tampa Bay. Wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were knocked out of the game in the second quarter and did not return. Leonard Fournette was also injured in the contest, leaving for the locker room in the third quarter. The defensive side of the ball was hit as well, with Lavonte David and Pat O’Connor leaving late in the game.

Godwin was injured on a low hit to his right knee that flipped him upside down. He was able to limp off the field under his own power and went immediately to the trainer’s tent. The Bucs leading receiver was seen running on the sidelines in an attempt to come back into the game, but was eventually ruled out.

Evans suffered a hamstring injury on a big third down completion. After sitting out a play he came back in for one, but then went into the locker room. He did not return. In the third quarter, Fournette was spun in the air like a helicopter after an eight-yard gain. Ronald Jones finished the drive as Fournette was helped back to the locker room by trainers. The veteran running back was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

David injured his foot late in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game as well. He finished the game with 11 tackles, three for-a-loss and a sack. O’Connor suffered a lower body injury on a punt return with minutes remaining in the game. He was helped off the field by trainers and did not return.

Bucs Coach Bruce Arians Post Game

After the game Bruce Arians was asked if he had an update on any of the injures that knocked several players out of the game.

“Uh no,” Arians said.  “Two or three hamstrings, obviously Godwin’s knee. Lavonte’s foot, Leonard’s a hamstring. So we’ll wait and see.”

When asked if he had any indication about the severity of the injuries Arians simply replied, “No.”

In a game where the Bucs could’ve clinched the NFC South, Arians was more concerned about the injuries than the loss.

“It hurts more losing all the players we lost.We lost about seven starters in this game. So I’m more concerned about that right now.”

The Bucs will be getting Mike Edwards, Antonio Brown and potentially Antoine Winfield Jr. back next week. The severity of these injuries will play a big part in the Bucs ability to bounce back in the coming weeks. The first test is a road game against the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.