After a six-game absence, Tampa Bay Buccaneers right tackle Luke Goedeke made his return from injured reserve against the Patriots in Week 10 at Raymond James Stadium. His reinforcement helped bolster the ground game and spur the offense. Goedeke signed a four-year contract extension before the start of the regular season but was sidelined with a foot injury in Week Three.
With Goedeke back in the mix, the Bucs’ line is closer to full strength, with four of the five expected starters entering Week One back in the lineup after a slew of injuries created multiple shuffles. Cody Mauch, who was also placed on injured reserve in Week Three, will not return in 2025, and Ben Bredeson is currently dealing with a hamstring injury and may not play in Buffalo. After completing his rehabilitation from the foot injury, Goedeke divulged on his outlook over the past two months.
“Football is what my life revolves around,” Goedeke described. “I train in the offseason and I make these sacrifices in-season and the offseason to be in the best physical shape in-season and then to get that taken away from you, that is very frustrating. At the same time, I have been injured before in college and stuff like that so you learn through the adversity and you have to continue to grow from it and you cannot be negative. A positive mindset will help you heal faster.”
Goedeke played 905 snaps in 2024 and garnered the nickname, “The enforcer.” With his power, ability to anchor in pass protection and open up lanes for rushers with pursuit at the second level, he sets the standard opposite Tristan Wirfs. He plays with tremendous leg drive and play strength to finish edge rushers, fortifying the line around Baker Mayfield. On Sunday, Goedeke will face another challenge in the Bills’ Joey Bosa. He leads Buffalo in sacks with 4.0 and has an innate feel for the chess match in the trenches, utilizing initial moves to set up another. Bosa is a master with his hands, always reaching to punch out the football. His quickness off the line is special and the technically sound player will create a highly-anticipated matchup in Week 11 with Goedeke.
“He presents speed and power and he has a lot of tools at his disposal and he has good get-off, good bend and good hand usage and then he can bring good speed-to-power so he brings the best of both worlds,” said Goedeke on Bosa. “He is a complete pass rusher, he is not just a speed guy or power guy…I expect a great fight this Sunday.”