Two Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stars Miss Practice

A pair of Tampa Bay Buccaneers stars hobbled off the field in the first half of the team's Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, and it's beginning to look like their absences will linger into Week 2. Tackle Donovan Smith and wide receiver Chris Godwin were both missing at the Bucs' Wednesday practice, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

No WR Chris Godwin or LT Donovan Smith at practice today.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 14, 2022

Smith left the game after hyperextending his elbow in an awkward collision, and Godwin soon followed him after straining his hamstring on a catch-and-run at the two-minute warning. Coach Todd Bowles expressed optimism that the players wouldn't be out long, but any unavailability should raise eyebrows considering the importance of Tampa's upcoming Week 2 contest against their division rival New Orleans Saints.

Smith and Godwin are both crucial players for the Bucs. Smith is coming off a career-high 83.3 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021, and Godwin was the team's leading receiver despite three missed games. The Buccaneers lost both their games against the Saints last year, including a hard-hitting 9-0 Week 15 defeat that saw Godwin tear his ACL on a low hit, and fellow offensive stars wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Leornard Fournette get knocked out in the first half. If the Bucs intend to reverse their fortunes against a Saints team that has beaten them seven consecutive times in the regular season, they'll need all hands on deck.