Thirty-two plays. That’s the totality of the number of opportunities the Bucs offense has had to use their top four receivers this season. Just 32 plays. I’ll add that on every drive where all four receivers (Mike Evans, Russell Gage, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones) were available the Bucs offense was able to move into scoring position. When the dudes are out there the offense moved.

But then with 1:46 left in the second quarter against Dallas, Chris Godwin caught a short pass and was pushed out of bounds by Anthony Brown. And he did not return to the game. Godwin who strained his hamstring would miss not only the rest of that game, but weeks two and three as well. Jones made it through the Dallas game and ended up being a key contributor in Godwin’s absence. But we would all learn that he somehow tore his PCL in that matchup. He too would miss the next two games.

Bucs WR Julio Jones – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Evans would be lost to ejection for much of the Saints game week two. That ejection would lead to suspension the following week. What was initially looked like an embarrassment of riches for quarterback Tom Brady has seemingly turned into fool’s gold.

But that may all change tonight at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. Evans was already set to

return from his one-game suspension this week. Now it seems he will be joined by both Jones and Godwin. According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero the Bucs may have all of their offensive playmakers dressed and playing for the first time since before the second half of week one.

The #Bucs should have their playmakers back. WRs Chris Godwin (hamstring), WR Russell Gage (hamstring), and WR Julio Jones (knee) are all expected to play today vs. the #Chiefs, per me and @TomPelissero.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 2, 2022

This is obviously great news for a Bucs offense that has struggled to score since the loss of these elite playmakers. During that first half of the Dallas game the Bucs offense moved the ball almost at will. They were able to move into scoring position on all five drives, coming away with four field goals. Since then? The Bucs have moved into scoring position (opportunity for a 50-yard field goal or better) on just 10 of 27 drives, excluding end of half kneel downs.

And with the Bucs facing a high-powered Chiefs offense they will need all of the offensive firepower they can get.