The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been rattled by injuries in recent weeks, with the offense hit particularly hard by absences. Although Chris Godwin came back last week against the Los Angeles Rams, the Bucs were still missing pieces on the offensive line, star running back Bucky Irving, and legendary wide receiver Mike Evans in what amounted to a 34-7 whallopping at the hands of Matthew Stafford and the current kings of the NFC West.
To make matters worse, Buccaneers star quarterback Baker Mayfield left the loss early with a left shoulder injury. So while Irving was always targeted for a Week 13 return against a much easier NFC West opponent in the Arizona Cardinals, Mayfield's status was immediately called into question as Bucs fans cringed while watching Teddy Bridgewater toss some truly putrid ducks out there.