The Bucs received good news this week in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Broncos. Tampa Bay right tackle Luke Goedeke, who missed the last two games due to a concussion, is expected to clear the concussion protocol as early as Wednesday and return to practice this week.
Barring a setback in practice, Goedeke is expected to start on Sunday vs. Philadelphia.
JC Allen was the first to report the news on X. Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds confirmed it on Tuesday evening.
This is welcome news to the Bucs offensive line, which has surrendered 12 sacks over the past two games in Goedeke’s absence. Tampa Bay allowed five sacks in a 20-16 win at Detroit in Week 2 and gave up seven sacks last Sunday to Denver in a 26-7 loss.
Luke Goedeke Sets The Tone Up Front For The Bucs O-Line
Justin Skule has replaced Luke Goedeke the past two weeks and surrendered multiple pressures and three sacks in Goedeke’s absence. And Skule has not generated the push in the run game that Goedeke is known for producing. The Bucs ran for 112 yards with Goedeke in the lineup in Week 1, but ran for just 70 yards at Detroit the next week and only 91 yards last Sunday versus Denver.
Perhaps more importantly, the Bucs have missed Goedeke’s enforcer attitude up front, as he is the tone-setter for Tampa Bay’s offensive line. His return should not only strengthen the right side of the Bucs offensive line, but also bolster the confidence of the unit with Godeke’s energy providing a big lift.
Goedeke suffered his concussion against the Commanders in Week 1 but it wasn’t really diagnosed until he took the practice field on the Wednesday prior to the Lions game when he started experiencing concussion symptoms. Because he plays in the trenches where there are collisions on every snap, the team had to be cautious with his return to action, which is why he missed two games.
