The 3-0, but banged-up, Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hosting the defending Super Bowl champions, also 3-0 this season, the Philadelphia Eagles, on Sunday. And the home side should have three key cogs in their offense in action, including quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield, who hasn’t missed a game and is off to another strong season in Tampa Bay after a career year last season, has a right bicep injury. The two-time Pro Bowler was wearing a sleeve on the arm all week in practice, and didn’t do much throwing during the team’s preparation for Week 4.
“He does such a good job of preparing already — a lot like what Teddy [Bridgewater] was doing,” Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said of Mayfield. “Everybody’s on the same page, even Baze [rookie Connor Bazelak], talking through the practice squad side of it on contingency plans for even him, like in Week 1. So it’s all about mental reps, and he’s taking all of those and is in a good spot and watching all the film and getting all the protections and cans and all the things in order.”
Additionally, Mayfield should have a new face (at least for this season) guarding his blind side tomorrow, as All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs will make his first appearance of the season after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery in July.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr will also be debuting after multiple surgeries to fix a dislocated left ankle he obtained in Week 7 last season (do you obtain dislocated ankles?!). When healthy, in the past, Godwin was almost a sure thing for 1000 yards receiving every season.
Degenerate Spin: All good news for the Bucs, who still have more players injured than they would like. However, this is a good step, especially given the challenge of facing the champs tomorrow. Such a good step that I’m taking Tampa Bay on the spread tomorrow.
Don’t Forget About our Free Picks Pages Too!
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PICKS – THE PICKS POWERHOUSE
SOCCER PICKS – KICK IT ON THE PITCH
NASCAR PICKS – FEEL THE THUNDER
UFC PICKS – TAKE DOWN CORPORATE GAMBLING
