Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (knee) and WR Chris Godwin (neck) — both listed as questionable — will play tonight against the Bills.

DT Vita Vea (groin) is also questionable and will be a true game-day decision.

Good news for the Buccaneers offense in general, but Mayfield doesn't need to be in consideration for a fantasy start this week. Godwin can be considered a WR2.

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans is “full go” for Sunday, coach Todd Bowles said.

Related Players: Chris Godwin, Deven Thompkins

The Bye Week clearly did Evans some good, and he should make a great 1-2 punch for Baker Mayfield in the team's highly-projected contest against the Lions.

Mike Evans has set a Week 1 deadline to receive a new contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with his representation indicating the wide receiver will look to play elsewhere in 2024 if no deal is reached.

Related Players: Chris Godwin

This is a bit of odd timing, as we are one week away from the regular season kickoff. There were rumors during the beginning of the offseason about the team possibly looking to trade Evans or Chris Godwin and eye a rebuild, but those died down quickly.
Deal or no deal, all signs point towards Evans suiting up for the Bucs in Week 1 and throughout the 2023 season.

This is consistent with Dave Canales’ philosophy of “taking the quarterback off the high dive” and making him “more of a distributor.” Taking less risks through the air and incrementally moving the ball downfield can work as long as the ground game is consistent, and avoid penalties, which was a huge problem in the first preseason game (12 of them).

Related players: Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Rachaad White

The story said the offense did just that in the final preseason tune-up. Mayfield went 6-for-6 for 43 yards. Godwin accounted for 39 of those yards on four catches, with 22 coming after the catch - which also included a TD. Evans missed the game with a hamstring injury, but the team says he'll be good to go in Week 1. Mayfield is currently ranked 31st among our QBs with Godwin and Evans more WR3 targets in drafts heading into this season. Both WRs can be had between rounds 6-8, according to ADPs.

It's actually six Bucs players ruled out, as Russell Gage was also ruled out (hamstring). So Gage, Cameron Brate, Goedeke, Davis, Winfield, Murphy-Bunting all out. Akiem Hicks would make it seven out, meaning Kyle Trask dresses as third QB.

Related players: Julio Jones, Breshad Perriman, Scott Miller, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans

Reports also say Jones will come down to a game-time call, meaning Miller and Perriman should see more time behind the big-two of Godwin and Evans.

Bucs are back at practice. No sign of Cameron Brate (concussion) or Logan Ryan (foot). But Carlton Davis, Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman are all practicing. Looks like Julio Jones will practice today as well.

Related players: Cade Otton

Good news Godwin seems ready to go after returning last week to the lineup after a hamstring injury shut him down in Week 1. Godwin's role should get back to normal. As for Brate, if he can't go Otton is up next and is a player the team is high on from back in camp. Those in deeper or dynasty leagues who need help, or some longer term potential, should check to see if Otton is on the wire.

Buccaneers WRs Chris Godwin, Julio Jones and Russell Gage are all active tonight against the Chiefs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers inactives

QB Kyle Trask
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Scotty Miller
WR Breshad Perriman
CB Zyon McCollum
DL Akiem Hicks

Christ Godwin took part in Wednesday’s practice on a limited basis. Godwin has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and did not practice at all last week.

Wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) was also a limited participant. He was also limited last Friday before landing on the inactive list for Tampa’s 14-12 loss to the Packers.

It's a good sign for both as the Bucs are hopefully starting to get healthier at wide receiver. The Bucs are scheduled to play a Sunday night game but the location may change because of Hurricane Ian. Those counting on Godwin or Jones should probably have another option in place as waiting on either player is risky until we know more, hopefully later this week.

Julio Jones joined Chris Godwin on the sideline Thursday afternoon, and now it's possible the team will be without their top-three receiver options on Sunday, with Mike Evans serving a one-game suspension.

Related Players: Russell Gage, Cole Beasley

Tom Brady is going to have an uphill battle in Week 3 with Gage, Beasley, and some rotation of Breshad Perriman, Scotty Miller, and Cameron Brate operating as his receiving options. It's as if he's back in his final years with the Patriots. Brady is ranked as a borderline QB1/2 this week with Russell Gage likely having the highest ceiling in Sunday's matchup against the Packers.