Todd Bowles Says Luke Goedeke “Should” Return This Season
October 17th, 2025
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke watching the offensive line warm up prior to the Week 3 Bucs home game against the Jets.
What Joe is sniffing isn’t good.
Last week, NFL uber insider Adam Schefter said on his podcast that the Bucs have lost two starting offensive linemen for the season. One is Cody Mauch, the Bucs’ starting right guard who blew out a knee at Houston Week 2.
Joe periodically sees Mauch around One Buc Palace or The Licht House on crutches.
So who was this second starting offensive lineman? It’s not Michael Jordan, the fill-in left guard who started two games when Ben Bredeson played at center to start the season.
Jordan was sidelined with a knee injury after playing all of the Week 2 game at Houston. Yesterday, Jordan was practicing at One Buc Palace after practicing a little last week. So he’s not the one Schefter referenced.
Tristan Wirfs returned to the lineup against the Eagles in Week 4. In Week 2 against Houston, right tackle Luke Goedeke left after just 12 snaps with a messed-up foot, which he originally injured in Week 1.
Both before the Houston game,and since, Joe has spotted Goedeke in sandals or common sneakers without his foot wrapped or using any apparatus on his foot.
After Sunday’s win over the 49ers, on the BSPN+ NFL highlight show co-hosted by former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland, Booger said the Bucs’ “right tackle” is on IR and not coming back this season. Like Schefter, Booger didn’t name the player in question. Could it be that Booger confused Mauch with Goedeke? Sure, it’s possible, but it’s doubtful Schefter and Booger made the same mistake.
So Thursday, Joe asked Bucs coach Todd Bowles if he had a ballpark guesstimate when Goedeke may return.
Bowles was vague.
“When he gets out there and practices, I’ll have a better ballpark,” Bowles said. “Until now, he’s rehabbing like the rest of them.
“And [I] honestly don’t have [a recovery timetable] right now until I see him out there running around doing something. I don’t have a ballpark estimate of him right now.”
OK, that’s fair. Hard to have an idea when a player can play before he can run.
Joe then followed up, asking Bowles if he expects Goedeke to return this season. Here is Bowles’ response, verbatim:
“I would hope he’s back, yes. He should be.”
That wasn’t “Yes,” or “He will be.”
This is a strange injury to Goedeke. Again, he played 12 snaps against Houston before leaving the game. He hasn’t played since. Joe has seen Goedeke twice after the Houston game not wearing any boot or any apparatus on his foot or using crutches.
Goedeke was wearing a boot and using a small scooter for folks rehabbing a leg or a foot prior the Jets-Bucs game in Week 3.
There is a TikTok video from Sunday of Goedeke standing behind Baker Mayfield during pregame introductions. It’s unclear if Goedeke is wearing a boot or not on his left foot.
Here is a screenshot from the video:
So there remains intrigue and mystery surrounding Goedeke. People from the four-letter seem to suggest he’s done for the year while Bowles is vague about his status.
So what does Joe know? Well, Goedeke has sat out the NFL minimum-required four games after being placed on the injured reserve list on Sept. 18. So Goedeke is eligible to return to practice (and play in a game) at any time.
October 17th, 2025 at 5:09 am
This sounds awfully similar to the Jensen injury situation. Hope he comes back 100% this year or next
October 17th, 2025 at 5:43 am
Could it be the only dude who dines with football royalty is …full of it? Tired of “football insiders” when they could just call up some local folks like Joe. Something inherently wrong with that IMO.
Go Bucs!
October 17th, 2025 at 6:08 am
The team treats some of this information concerning injuries as if it has an Above Top Secret classification.
Bowles knows exactly the nature of the injury, and the chances of his player returning this season, if there is a chance. I don’t understand how the lack of transparency is beneficial in any way.
October 17th, 2025 at 6:22 am
How good would this offense be, if we hadn’t lost the right side of our offensive line?
October 17th, 2025 at 6:33 am
Don’t hold your breath waiting for this guy to come back. Mngmnt might have made a big mistake signing him to large dollar extension. Same with Godwin.
The defense is in much better shape physically. Play like it on Monday.
October 17th, 2025 at 6:43 am
When it comes to injury reports, Bowles is always reserved on his forecast. Perhaps he has been burned over the years with being too hopeful. I suspect Goedeke will return after our bye week.
October 17th, 2025 at 6:57 am
somebody stepped on his foot in that first game and fractured it
October 17th, 2025 at 7:12 am
I said that he’s foot was fractured , when I saw him trying to stand up and he couldn’t. It’s been 5weeks. I feel like he could be back after the bye week.
It would be 4 weeks for Double EE, after the bye. The GOD well🤷🏾♂️
October 17th, 2025 at 7:24 am
By NFL standards this dude’s fragile!
October 17th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Ya don’t see people miss just 1 game with a hammy
October 17th, 2025 at 7:27 am
Can’t believe the Bucs gave this dude BIG money. His career is over. Luke’s not tough enough for the NFL.
October 17th, 2025 at 7:36 am
The “glass-eater” may be made of glass. Great tackle when available though.
October 17th, 2025 at 7:51 am
There is no boot on his foot.
October 17th, 2025 at 7:52 am
We know you “don’t know” Todd. But, I bet the doctors and training staff know, so how hard is it to say “our docs and training staff project him to be back at practice on (insert date) and possibly play by (insert week).” Also, if the Docs & PTs do not have that answer, maybe it is time to replace them lol
October 17th, 2025 at 7:53 am
Keep asking Joe, it’s your job. You’ll never get a straight answer from Bowles about injuries.
October 17th, 2025 at 8:13 am
Today’s NFL players seem soft compared to the old-school gridiron warriors from back in the day. In the 90s, players would’ve just sucked it up and kept playing.
It may not have been the smartest approach, but it feels like way too many players today get paid and then spend the rest of their careers injured. For a lot of guys, the love of the game seems to be gone.
Maybe Im crazy….
But that’s why I love Baker Mayfield so much. He plays with heart, passion, and a genuine love for football. As a Bucs fan, I hope he gets a multiple rings. Even back when he was with the Browns, I admired his hard work, dedication and the obvious love he had for the game though. Swear you would have to take him out on a stretcher to keep him off the field…
October 17th, 2025 at 8:25 am
REST UP Uncle Luke!!!!!!!
6-1!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 17th, 2025 at 8:25 am
My guess is that the Bucs feel they have the “luxury” being 5-1 of waiting until after the bye to bring back Goedeke. If that right side of the oline is holding up perhaps a wise decision. Added bonus: it gives the back ups more playing time to hone their skills.
October 17th, 2025 at 8:45 am
Bucs roster is the most fragile in the entire league
We don’t see these issues with other rosters, I know some is luck but with so many players it’s definitely a major issue that can limit the team’s potential
October 17th, 2025 at 8:46 am
I think the goal is to get to the bye with hopefully 6 wins and get healthy after the bye
October 17th, 2025 at 9:04 am
“Should” is sort of unsure. Hopefully, Luke can keep on resting and rehab and come back strong for the Bills November game and/or before the December Saints game.
October 17th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Here we go again with the same old tired complaints …
Player X. Names are unimportant. It’s always the same.
He’s done for the year (know his doctor?)
He’s done forever (might be time to see if lobotomy’s can be reversed).
Shouldn’t have paid him so much (Licht should have known of an injury before it happened. Time Machine anyone?).
He’s soft (He’d kill you!).
The truth: None of you have any idea when he’ll be back.
In honesty, I don’t know why the Bucs are not more forthcoming with their injuries. Opponents don’t care how long a player will be sidelined, only if they’re playing against them that week. They have an injury report for that.
Since the NFL embraced gambling, there are no secrets. And I’m guessing Commissioner Roger doesn’t want to be fitted for a pair of cement overshoes.
October 17th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Before he got hurt he was one of the best now he is not tough enough u fans need to go back to your own team the one before you got to this one maybe the browns or patriots idc but it seems like as soon as our guys go down there trash not built for football I doubt half of you guys have even played this game just some fantasy league sweat pants wearing chicken strips dipping Cheeto puff finger typing losers
October 17th, 2025 at 9:54 am
It looks like Kancey and Goedeke are made of the same stuff: glass! Great players when healthy, but fragile as heck. It would not surprise me if Goedeke were done for the season.
October 17th, 2025 at 10:12 am
I’m hopeful that Luke will be back. All the time, people are giving out wrong information especially the national media. Like when multiple people said we were playing with the fourth, fifth and six wide receivers last week when it was actually the fifth sixth and seventh. Most people forgot about Jalen. The eighth WR was out there also but didn’t catch a pass.
I’ll be there for the game after the buy against New England. Come back strong loop. We need our head meat head!!!
October 17th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Luke
October 17th, 2025 at 10:16 am
I concur El hefe many on here like to bash players just because they are hurt yet act like they are their best friend when they are playing at a high level. At the end of the day a true Bucs fan supports this team through the good and the bad. It makes winning that much more special and moments like the 50th season halftime show celebrating Bucs of old and new tear worthy because we have been through it all together. I believe Luke will be back this season and I pray for a speedy recovery for him and all of the players as well as protection to them all as we battle through this season. Go Bucs!
October 17th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Daryl Green said his foot was fractured. Put him on IR already then!
October 17th, 2025 at 10:19 am
@El hefe: That was one long run-on sentence! But at least it was finished properly with a period indicating the rant was indeed over.
October 17th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Yeah, we’re not seeing him until next year at best.
October 17th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Check out San Francisco. Each year they are beat up, especially the past two seasons.
Baltimore is giving the Bucs a good run for injuries. At least Mayfield is upright (unlike Saint Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy).
October 17th, 2025 at 10:37 am
That photo of Luke Goedeke behind Baker was awesome. What a moment. This guy is hurt and will not let his teammates go into this without him. He’s doing what he can to help.
The guy came back from a concussion.
I think we all have become indifferent to these injuries. But the pain is real. The impact is real. And some of these injuries happening now are going to make their lives much harder when they get onto their 50s and 60s.
Love this guy.
October 17th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Whole lot of stupid in these parts.
Luke will be back and be be just fine. Players get injured in this sport, that doesnt make them “injury prone” or “soft”.
Dude suffered a knock to the head last year, which can happen to any player at anytime. He got his foot stepped on and most likely suffered a fracture. Again, a common injury that is just bad luck.
Now folks want to blame JL for signing one of the best young RT in football. Laughable
October 17th, 2025 at 11:19 am
How do some of yall not feel bad writing this stuff sometimes ? made out of glass ? like you could handle one snap in an NFL offense. the dude is a baller and a great RT its unfortunate that hes out and i want him back out there as much as anybody but lets not throw our own players under the bus when theyre going through an injury. were better then that Tampa.
October 17th, 2025 at 11:24 am
All of the 20-20 hindsight is laughable.
“I knew we shouldn’t have resigned (Godwin/Goedeke)” – yeah right. And if Licht let them walk and they balled out somewhere else, you internet GMs would be crying about that, too.
As for Goedeke – who would you internet GMs have replaced him with, exactly? Draft pick? Rookie tackles usually struggle (Wirfs is an outlier). Free agent?
October 17th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Jeff , you sound like a idiot, I can’t believe your parents gave your computer back.
October 17th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Genocide, he is on IR
October 17th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
@ D-Rok – What period? LoL.
October 17th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
I think this whole thing is just BS Nonsense. Nothing has changed. He will be back at some point this season…
October 17th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
In 2022, Goedeke’s rookie yr, he missed 4 or 5 games with a foot issue. So some lines of questioning might be:
– Is it the same foot as 2022? If so,
– Has this been a persistent issue throughout Goedeke’s tenure with the Bucs?
– Why would JL throw top dollar at Goedeke until the issue was resolved?
If no, What specifically is the injury?
Like I say, the only way Rachaad White gets a second contract is if he ends the season on IR. Jason likes paying top dollar for bruised fruit.
October 17th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
He could be back for the post season who knows. The vague responses are telling that he ain’t coming back any time soon. This year could be construed as this season and this season could be in January or even February for all we know, which is not very much. Would be nice to get heathy come playoff time with a good seeding.
October 17th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Look… These guys do LOVE the game and would give anything to be out there on GAMEDAY. It is what they LIVE FOR. Sundays. They wanna be out there, & PLAY. But, you gotta be SMART about it. This is THEIR LIFE. It’s BIG $$$ on the line, and these NFL contracts are NOT guaranteed. Their careers are SO SHORT. You’ve got to PRODUCE and put up ‘big-numbers’ in order to be PAID. In order to ‘set-up’ your family, for LIFE. It’s not all about the team first, or the game itself. It’s about ME FIRST, and my FAMILY. You have to worry about YOURSELF FIRST, and make sure you’re ‘taking care of’ YOURSELF FIRST. Period. Cause, in a few short years, when it’s ALL OVER… What good is a ‘RING’ anyway, just to have to ‘HOCK-IT’ in a few short years, like most do after retirement. Or, when you can’t even climb a handful of stairs, or get down on the floor to play with your kids… While, still in YOUR 30’s/40’s (and broke with medical bills, having to take a 1000-pills, Etc.) To Hell With THAT. These contracts are not even guaranteed in the NFL (which is absurd when comparing to literally, every other professional sport). You gotta do what’s best for YOU. Trust Me… They never have ANY trouble with kicking YOU to the curb, when you can no longer benefit THEM. Same with the “Fans” judging from several of these posts. And, none of THEM will be there for YOU either, once it’s all said and done. You gotta take FULL advantage of this ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity, and do right by YOU.
October 17th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
That’s not a foot fracture. Goedke would have that foot at minimum in a boot if it were. Can believe it is a deep contusion or sprain. Goedke will be back for sure after the bye week.
October 17th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Some of these “ADULTS” (which is VERY weird), are living some type of adult-fairytale about a ‘professional-sports’ fantasyland, that only exists inside of their own head. These ‘players’ are an EMPLOYEE. Period. This is THEIR JOB. This is THEIR CAREER. This is a BUSINESS. It’s not about YOU.
October 17th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
A lot of you defend overpaid athletes way too much. Millions of dollars to play a game? Honestly, that’s ridiculous. So yeah, I’ll be that guy who finds it odd that some players get paid while sitting on IR. These days, it’s often about “preserving my career” now that they have money, and to me, that doesn’t show the same love for the game that players like Ronnie Lott had.
The man literally cut off part of his finger just to get back on the field. Was that extreme and borderline insane? Absolutely. But as a Bucs fan, that’s the kind of mentality I want on my team — a guy who’s willing to put everything on the line: his body, mind, and soul for the sport he loves.
And here’s the thing: a lot of fans miss that kind of fire. That raw, almost warrior-like mentality where a player would do whatever it took to be out there, where it felt like they’d rather die on the field than be pulled from the game. Back then, football was more than just a paycheck — it was almost a battle. It was about pride, toughness, and a love for hard-hitting, old-school football.
Yeah, the game is safer now, and players are smarter about their health — and I get that. But it’s also why fans cling to guys who *still* play with that old-school passion. That’s why I love Baker — he’s cut from that same mold. He plays like every snap matters, like the game means everything to him.
Maybe that makes me a jerk. Maybe it’s just nostalgia. But I’ll always respect players who play with fire in their chest, not just money in their pocket. That would sit down with you at a BBQ or the bar have a beer and just be one of the guys…
October 17th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Carlitin 1988, Luke is the one who described himself as a” glass eater”. Now he’s hurt to start the season again. Now are you up to speed?
October 17th, 2025 at 5:39 pm
Josh👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤙🏾
October 17th, 2025 at 6:10 pm
Joe says this: It’s unclear if Goedeke is wearing a boot or not on his left foot. ++++ Joe he has a sock and shoe on jusst like the right foot no brace or boot
October 17th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
@Melvin, Goedeke got a four-year extension worth $90 million, with $50 million GUARANTEED. He likely already has earned more than you and everyone in your household before his 27th birthday. Luke got paid and promptly took a seat with a mysterious foot injury. For all we know, he was drafted with hammer toes and finally decided to get it worked on. Gotta say, the mystery does not ring trustworthy with fans.
Im with Josh here. The league/teams want a king’s ransom for a partial product.
October 17th, 2025 at 11:39 pm
All these injuries suck but the optimist in me says this is creating tremendous depth and confidence in this team by winning throughout.
Over the next month, they will have most of the pieces back as they hit the stretch run towards the playoffs.
October 18th, 2025 at 7:30 am
Charlie Heck has moved into the PFF 40’s! Dude gets a little better every week