Bucs Get Bad Injury News, Elevate Two Ahead Of Week 4

After badly missing him in Weeks 2 and 3, the Bucs were certainly hoping to have right tackle Luke Goedeke back for Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Things seemed to be progressing for Goedeke throughout the week, but Todd Bowles said Friday that the third-year pro still needed to clear concussion protocol before being set for a return to the lineup against Philadelphia.

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Well, on Saturday, the Bucs delivered some bad news on that front. The team announced that Goedeke has been downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday’s game. He remains in concussion protocol and will miss his third straight game.

It’s a tough blow for Tampa Bay, as its offensive line has really missed Goedeke over the last two games. Justin Skule has been the replacement at right tackle, and despite Bowles mentioning a potential “rotation” at the position before last Sunday’s game, Skule played all 57 offensive snaps for the Bucs.

He will be the guy once again on Sunday with the Eagles in town.

Bucs Add Another Key Player To Week 4 Injury Report

The Goedeke news wasn’t the only concern for Tampa Bay on Saturday afternoon, as the team also announced that it has added running back Rachaad White to the injury report for Week 4. White has an illness and is now listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest against the Eagles.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

White’s status is especially worrisome considering the fact that rookie running back Bucky Irving is also questionable for the game after picking up a hamstring injury this week. Irving did say he’d be good to go for the game, but he was still a limited participant in Friday’s practice and did carry an injury designation into the weekend.

Of course, there’s still a good chance one of (or both) White and Irving will be able to suit up and carry the load for Tampa Bay’s backfield in Week 4. But if either is limited, it could mean some work for second-year back Sean Tucker, who had an impressive preseason.

Whatever the case may be, offensive coordinator Liam Coen will hope his stable of running backs can get the ground game going better than they have in the first three games of the 2024 season.

Bucs Announce Two Practice Squad Elevations For Week 4

The final piece of news from Tampa Bay on Saturday afternoon was two practice squad elevations. The Bucs are elevating punter Trenton Gill and wide receiver Sterling Shepard for the matchup with the Eagles.

The elevation of Gill is notable, as third-year punter Jake Camarda is off to a poor start this season after struggling in the preseason. Todd Bowles was asked this week whether Camarda’s issues have been with hangtime or distance, and the head coach said it’s both.

Bucs P Jake Camarda – Photo by: USA Today

“A little bit of both at times,” Bowles said. “At times, he can boom one. At times, he’s inconsistent. He’s got to be more consistent.”

Camarda’s net average through three games is a paltry 39.8 yards, and Gill was brought in to Tampa Bay’s practice squad on Tuesday. The Bucs surely won’t have both punters active on Sunday, but it’s something to keep an eye on pregame.

As for Shepard’s elevation, it likely comes as a result of another late addition to the injury report on Friday. Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan pulled a hamstring in the final practice of the week, and he entered the weekend with a “doubtful” designation for Sunday’s game.

Shepard, a veteran who signed this offseason after eight seasons with the Giants, was also elevated from the practice squad for last Sunday’s game against the Broncos and played just four snaps.