Bucs vs. Falcons Week 8 Injury Report

Last week, it seemed that everything that could have gone wrong for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did. Not only did the team lose against the Baltimore Ravens, it lost its top two passing options, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, ahead of arguably the biggest game of the season. 

Godwin’s season is likely over, but the team will have to mourn the loss of its star quickly or risk getting swept by the Atlanta Falcons this season and, in the process, hand them the No. 1 seed in the NFC South. 

It will take a full team effort to remain a contender after losing so much star power, so let’s look at the Bucs attempting to do so.

Mike Evans Avoids IR

Perhaps the only positive regarding Mike Evans’ aggravated hamstring injury is that, unlike Chris Godwin, the future Hall of Famer was not placed on the IR. This provides hope that he can return to action sometime after the Week 11 bye.

Returning from IR appears to be Rakim Jarrett, who had been missing time due to a knee injury. His contributions will likely be needed as the team tries to find its footing in what’s expected to be a very different offense this week. 

Another person whose contributions will be needed is rookie running back Bucky Irving, who did not participate on Wednesday due to a toe injury.

Here is the Bucs injury report after Wednesday:

• TE Payne Durham — calf — did not participate 
• WR Mike Evans — hamstring — did not participate
• DL William Gholston — knee — limited participant 
• RB Bucky Irving — toe — did not participate 
• WR Rakim Jarrett — knee — full participant
• S Tykee Smith — concussion — did not participate 

Falcons Injury Report

Here is the Falcons injury report after Wednesday:

• G Matthew Bergeron — neck — full participant 
• OLB Matthew Judon — rest — limited participant 
• FS Justin Simmons — hamstring — limited participant 
• CB Antonio Hamilton — back — limited participant 
• LB Troy Anderson — knee — limited participant 
• LB Nate Landman — shoulder — limited participant 
• G Ryan Neuzil — knee — did not participate