Trio of Bucs Stars To Be Game-Time Decisions in Week 4

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a tense week dealing with the ramifications of Hurricane Ian. After travelling to Miami to avoid the brunt of the storm and with their Sunday Night Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs no longer in jeopardy, the team is ready for a return to normalcy, but the uncertainty isn't quite over yet. Head coach Todd Bowles announced during his Friday press conference that left tackle Donovan Smith and wide receivers Chris Godwin and Julio Jones would all be game-time decisions for Sunday's primetime showdown.

Bowles was initially asked about Godwin and Smith: "They practiced on a limited basis. We'll see how they continue to progress. Those will be game-time decisions on Sunday but they did (have limited participation) in practice." https://t.co/tcx8NUvkP8
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 30, 2022

Bowles said Julio Jones, Chris Godwin have continued to practice on a limited basis. Both will be game-time decisions. #Bucs
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) September 30, 2022

All three players missed the previous two games with their various injuries, and their absences (along with wide receiver Mike Evans' suspension) likely contributed to the Bucs' tough 14-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. Should all three finally play, the Bucs could finally be close to full strength for the first time since the second quarter of their Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones joined the Buccaneers this offseason hoping to finally put his injury woes behind him, but it certainly hasn't manifested yet. The future Hall of Fame wide receiver missed 14 games between his 2020 and 2021 seasons and has played only 32 snaps so far this year. Godwin signed a three-year, $60 million pact in March despite a December ACL tear. He rewarded the Bucs with a miraculous return in Week 1, but a hamstring injury halted his comeback after 19 snaps. Smith has been a mainstay for the Bucs on the blindside since being drafted 34th overall in 2015, starting 111 of a possible 113 games before this season. With all three back in the fold, the Bucs could quickly reclaim their status as one of the league's elite offenses after struggling in the early portion of the season. The team ranks 22nd in points scored through three weeks.