The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing for a crucial showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. They’re waiting for major contributors like Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin Jr. and Tristan Wirfs to return. Each one of these athletes has had to deal with injuries that forced them to miss some portion of this season. All of a sudden, they’ll be ready to hit the field, which can greatly impact the team’s success.
Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers’ first-stringer and one of the NFL’s breakout stars so far this season, is questionable with biceps soreness in his throwing arm. Over the course of the week, he was message practice and was seen on video with a sleeve on his arm. Although some played off his injury as a minor setback, Mayfield was still able to do many handoffs and participated in limited throwing exercises. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard raved about Mayfield’s mental fortitude, describing him as “as tough plain and simple as they come.” He said he has “full confidence” in Mayfield to play on Sunday.
So, we’ll be watching very carefully to see how Mayfield measures up. Support like former NFL quarterback Steve Young, who thinks he is possibly one of the five best quarterbacks in the league and is giving incredible support. This endorsement adds to the anticipation surrounding his return, as the Buccaneers look to capitalize on his skills against a formidable Eagles defense.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (ankle) is the other key player listed as questionable. This Sunday, he’ll be making his 2025 debut. He ended up missing the first three games of the regular season and all of training camp. Godwin’s return has proven to be a game changer for the Buccaneers. He’ll provide coverage while Mike Evans is out three to four weeks with a sprained left hamstring.
As far as his on-the-field impact, Godwin has been fantastic. Just this past season, he was named the ninth-best player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise history as part of that team’s 50th anniversary celebration. His experience and skill set will be key to the gang as he works his way back into the rotation. It is possible that weather may force Godwin onto a pitch count if conditions create significant challenges.
One of those key players is finally set to return in Tristan Wirfs, who is questionable with a knee injury. Wirfs is looking to return for his 2025 season debut. He went through a long-term injury absence that had him miss training camp and the first three games of the season, similar to Godwin. That’s why on Thursday, Wirfs proclaimed that he was “pain-free” for the first time in what seems like years. This is an encouraging sign for his outlook on Sunday.
Wirfs’ return is particularly timely for the Buccaneers’ offensive line, which has faced significant challenges due to injuries sustained by starting right tackle Luke Goedeke and starting right guard Cody Mauch, both of whom were placed on injured reserve in Week 2. The addition of Wirfs will help stabilize an already depleted line as they prepare for a strong Eagles pass rush.
The Buccaneers are hopeful that Mayfield, Godwin, and Wirfs will not only play but excel in their roles against Philadelphia. Their combined presence would create a huge impact on the field, giving the Tampa Bay Rowdies a wealth of depth and experience.
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