Bucs Face Unexpected Lineup Crisis as Star Guards Goedeke and Mauch Hit Injured Reserve

Watching Luke Goedeke battle through his foot injury on Monday night only to falter after a brief 12-play stint — well, that’s the kind of grit and heartbreak that defines a season’s rocky start. It’s a tough pill for the Buccaneers, who promptly moved Goedeke to injured reserve this past Thursday, sidelining their 26-year-old right tackle for at least four games. Now, he’s a second-round gem from 2022 with a hefty four-year, $90 million deal tucked under his belt — so yeah, this is a significant blow. Charlie Heck has already stepped up in Weeks 1 and 2, but the gap Goedeke leaves won’t be easily filled. Then there’s the matter of right guard Cody Mauch, whose knee injury has ended his season prematurely, and left tackle Tristan Wirfs still hasn’t seen the field. The Bucs scrambled to patch up their line, bringing in Luke Haggard and Dan Feeney from the practice squads — Haggard’s pro debut might come sooner than anyone hoped. Meanwhile, guard Sua Opeta finds himself back on the practice squad, a lifeline in this trying shuffle of durability and talent. It’s a challenging, uncertain road ahead for Tampa’s offensive front — stay tuned as they navigate these choppy waters. LEARN MORE.

Buccaneers right tackle Luke Goedeke tried to play through his foot injury Monday night. He made it through only 12 plays before aggravating the injury.

Goedeke’s injury is significant enough that the Bucs placed Goedeke on injured reserve, the team announced Thursday.

Goedeke, 26, will miss at least the next four games before returning.

A second-round pick in 2022, he signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension before the start of this season.

Charlie Heck replaced Goedeke at right tackle in both Week 1 and Week 2 and will start while Goedeke is out.

The Bucs will be without right guard Cody Mauch (knee) for the rest of the season, and the team also placed him on injured reserve Thursday.

Left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) has yet to play this season.

The Bucs replaced Goedeke and on the roster by signing offensive lineman Luke Haggard off the practice squad and offensive lineman Dan Feeney off the Bills’ practice squad. Haggard, who has never played a regular-season game, could start at right guard for Mauch.

After Haggard’s promotion, the Bucs re-signed guard Sua Opeta to their practice squad.