Good news for Baker Mayfield as Buccaneers get key player back before Patriots
TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sitting at 6-2 and well-positioned to make the playoffs despite fighting through adversity for much of the first half of the season.
Sitting atop the NFC South and second in the NFC, the Bucs are primed for a solid back-half of the season as players start to return from injury.
One of those players that has been sorely missed has been right tackle Luke Goedeke, who has been on the sideline with a foot injury since the Bucs' Week 2 win over the Houston Texans.
The Bucs opened Goedeke's 21-day practice window this week. After having a limited practice and then a full practice, it appears he will see his first snaps back on the offensive line against the New England Patriots after nearly eight weeks of rehab.
Goedeke likely to return vs. Patriots
Goedeke is questionable to play vs. the Patriots, but head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that he had a good day of practice, so he's expected to go. Goedeke will have to officially return from IR to the active roster, which will require the Bucs to make a move.
Goedeke's return will be a welcome sight for the Buccaneers' offense. While the offense hasn't been horrible, it has become more inconsistent over the past few weeks. The right side of the line, Goedeke's normal side, has struggled in particular, with Charlie Heck playing right tackle and Luke Haggard playing right guard.
Goedeke being back in the lineup couldn't have come at a better time. The Bucs have a brutal three-game stretch here to open up the second half of the season following the bye, starting with the Patriots and then facing the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams before finishing off with four of their last five games coming against division opponents.
Goedeke will help resolidify a line that was one of the best in the league just a season ago. Running lanes should start to open up again, and the pass blocking for Baker Mayfield should also improve.
Goedeke's leadership and play on the field have been greatly missed, and he is perhaps the biggest player the Bucs needed back from injury sooner rather than later. The Bucs' offensive line will be tested once again against the Pats, who own the best run-stopping defensive line in the league, so Goedeke's return will be huge for the Buccaneers as they look to get their offense firing on all cylinders once again.
Pittsburgh Steelers Star Wide Receiver DK Metcalf Addresses Engagement Backlash: “I Don’t See Color”
Pittsburgh — In the wake of his high-profile engagement to longtime girlfriend, singer and former Fifth Harmony
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Speaking candidly during a rare press conference at the Steelers’ training facility, Metcalf addressed the backlash head-on.
“I’ve seen the posts. I’ve read the comments. But here’s the truth: I don’t see color,” Metcalf said, his voice calm but resolute. “Normani has been by my side through everything — the good, the bad, and the chaotic moments. My love for her isn’t about race, it’s about the bond we share, the trust, and the life we’re building together.”
The wide receiver’s engagement, which was announced earlier this month with a stunning ring and a heartfelt social media post, quickly went viral. Fans celebrated, but some critics questioned the relationship dynamics, sparking a wave of debates across platforms. The discussion soon extended beyond sports and celebrity circles, touching on broader cultural conversations about relationships, public image, and personal freedom.
Metcalf, known for his intensity on the field and his grounded persona off it, made it clear that he won’t let social media drama overshadow his personal life.
“People will always have opinions. That’s fine,” Metcalf continued. “But I know who I am, I know what I value, and I know the woman I’m marrying. Nothing else matters.”
Normani Speaks Out in Support of Their Relationship
Normani also spoke briefly during the press conference, emphasizing the couple’s shared commitment and support for one another. “DK and I have built something real, something lasting. Social media doesn’t define our love — we do,” she said.
Fans have since rallied around the couple, flooding Metcalf’s posts with messages of support and admiration. Hashtags like #DKAndNormani, #TrueLoveInPittsburgh, and #NoHateJustLove quickly began trending nationwide.
As Metcalf prepares for the upcoming NFL season, it’s clear that he won’t let personal attacks derail his focus. The wide receiver’s statement has not only addressed the backlash but also cemented his stance as a leader who speaks with honesty, integrity, and heart — both on and off the field.
One thing is certain: DK Metcalf’s love life just became as talked-about as his game-day performances, and he’s proving that some battles are fought with courage and conviction, not with controversy.
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