The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were already unlikely to be without star wide receiver Chris Godwin ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Now, it seems the Buccaneers might also be missing running back Leonard Fournette.
Head coach Bruce Arians told reporters he was not optimistic either Godwin (hamstring) or Fournette (ankle) would be able to go on Sunday (via SiriusXM NFL Radio's Alex Marvez).
.@Buccaneers HC @BruceArians told Bill Polian & me on @SiriusXMNFL that he wasn't optimistic about Chris Godwin (hamstring) or Leonard Fournette (ankle) playing Sunday vs. the @Chargers, BA wonders whether Godwin's injury was altitude-related from last Sunday's game in Denver
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) October 1, 2020
Fournette missed practice on Wednesday, and he was seen rehabbing the ankle on a “side field” on Thursday.
Fortunately, the Buccaneers have depth in the backfield, and are likely to lean on a two-back duo of Ronald Jones and veteran LeSean McCoy.
Tampa Bay acquired Fournette after the Jacksonville Jaguars released him prior to the start of the 2020 season, and the 25-year-old has produced mixed results for the Buccaneers.
Fournette was on the field for just 13 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 1, but he bounced back with a huge game in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers.
The 25-year-old rushed 12 times for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 46-yard touchdown scamper that essentially iced the victory. But Fournette had little success against the Denver Broncos in Week 3, rushing seven times for just 15 yards.
The Buccaneers have already deployed a committee look for much of the year, so they will hope Jones and McCoy can be productive with higher usage.
However, Tom Brady and Co. will have find ways to move the ball more effectively.
Tampa Bay ranks just 25th in total yards through the first three weeks, and Brady will also have to contend with Chargers pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III.
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