At this point, you can’t but be taken aback by the terrible injury luck the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line has incurred in such a short period of time.
The latest and — so far worst — blow came on September 17 when news broke that starting guard Cody Mauch would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury which will require surgery.
Mauch has started 36 consecutive regular season games for the Buccaneers — every game since he was drafted in the second round (No. 48 overall) out of North Dakota State State in 2023.
“Bucs guard Cody Mauch’s knee injury is significant enough he will require surgery that is expected to end his season,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account on September 17. “Another major loss for the Bucs, now down three starting OLs in the short term.”
The Buccaneers have been without 3-time NFL All-Pro left offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs because of a knee injury and he’s expected to miss the first 4 games. Starting right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke left a Week 2 win over the Houston Texans in the first quarter with a foot injury and didn’t return.
“More potential OL help: Bucs will have a workout Thursday, and veteran guard Sua Opeta, one of their final cuts last month, will be among those in attendance,” Auman wrote.
Incredibly enough, Mauch did not leave the game against the Texans as the Buccaneers engineered a second fourth quarter comeback in 2 games to improve to 2-0.
“Bucs starting right guard Cody Mauch suffered a season-ending knee injury Monday night, per source,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on September 17. “Despite the injury, Mauch finished playing the game. Bucs are expected to sign guard Dan Feeney off the Bills practice squad.”
Buccaneers Don’t Have News Yet On $90 Million Star
By Thursday, the Buccaneers still didn’t have definitive word on how long Goedeke would be out.
Goedeke went to the sideline midway through the second quarter and talked with trainers before appearing to grimace in pain as he tried to stand and put pressure on his left foot.
“Buccaneers T Luke Goedeke is OUT for the remainder of today’s game (foot),” Buccaneers Communications wrote on its official X account on September 15.
“Tampa’s OL was already a cluster before Luke Goedeke went out,” The Athletic’s Dave Helman wrote on his official X account. “Thriving in this environment, against this front?? Mighty impressive coaching & execution by the Bucs.”
Goedeke landed the first major payday of his career just days before the start of the regular season.
“The #Bucs have agreed to terms with their standout OT Luke Goedeke, as he gets a 4-year, $90M deal — $22.5M APY — that includes $50M guaranteed,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on September 2. “Tampa Bay locks up another key O-lineman.”
Mauch Will Be Difficult To Replace
Mauch, 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, was the second season ending injury for the Buccaneers in as many days.