Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) runs in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a mammoth-sized Monday night matchup with the Detroit Lions. The game is so big on paper, in fact, that it very well might end up being a preview of this season's NFC title game. At a minimum, for now, the matchup could help determine home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

And unfortunately for the Buccaneers, they won't have a full stable of their best players.

According to Tampa Bay's final and official injury report, Godwin has been ruled out for Monday night's game with a fibula injury. It's an awful turn of events for the veteran receiver, who made his return in early October only to land right back on the injury report soon after. Fortunately, in Godwin's stead, the Buccaners might have team legend Mike Evans and star rookie Emeka Egbuka both available, but those two look more like game-time decisions at the moment.

For now, the Buccaneers are gonna have to try and win one of the biggest games of this NFL season without the tried and true Godwin.

Who is Chris Godwin's backup on the Buccaneers?

Ryan Miller is listed as Godwin's official backup on the Tampa Bay depth chart, but I would expect Sterling Shepard to get more of Godwin's reps. Shepard is a 10-year veteran who has been around the block and is likely much more trustworthy to an experienced quarterback like Baker Mayfield. Miller is more of a depth player, if anything.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Chris Godwin injury update for Buccaneers on Monday night

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

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