If one single play perfectly encapsulated the recent NFL carnage, it came in the final minutes of the Monday night game between Baltimore and Tampa Bay.

While the Ravens already had the game locked up, the Buccaneers apparently signed up for the full 60 minutes and had star receiver Chris Godwin playing in mop-up time.

They will rue that decision the rest of the year, as Godwin dislocated his ankle, ending his season.

He’ll be joined on the sidelines for the near future by star teammate Mike Evans, who pulled his hamstring earlier. And by the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf, the Chiefs’ Juju Smith-Schuster, and the Lions’ suspended Jameson Williams.

Oh yeah. The sidelines were already filled with pass catchers such as Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

So folks are going to have to reach pretty deeply to find receiving talent this week. Here are some players they might want to claim on waivers:

Demario Douglas (Patriots): The former Liberty standout was fast becoming a favorite of rookie QB Drake Maye until he took ill last Sunday in London. He should be OK going forward and remain the No. 1 receiver in Foxboro.

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas (3) scores against Houston Texans safety Eric Murray, bottom right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Rashod Bateman (Ravens): The former Gopher led all others Monday night with 121 receiving yards and a touchdown, his third of the season. You want to own a piece of this Baltimore offense, and you can grab Bateman for one more week.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates scoring a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Tutu Atwell (Rams): Speaking of former Gophers, Atwell led the devastated Rams corps last Sunday with nine targets against Las Vegas. He has 23 catches for 332 yards, but no touchdowns. That could change Thursday night.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) runs with the ball as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) chases during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall (49ers): San Francisco is really short of pass catchers now. Will they turn to Jennings, who had his three-touchdown breakout a few weeks ago, or Pearsall, who came back weeks after being SHOT to catch three passes for 21 yards in his NFL debut last week?

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (14) catches a pass against Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) in the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

There’s also the Saints’ Bub Means, the Broncos’ Tony Franklin … and a Deepest Sleeper we’ll get to shortly.

Sitting stars

Whoever starts at running back for the 49ers, Christian McCaffrey or Jordan Mason, will run through Dallas’ imitation of a professional defense. … Green Bay will stack the box to slow Jaguars RB Tank Bigsby and dare Trevor Lawrence to beat them, and he won’t. … It’s nice to see Cleveland RB Nick Chubb back, but he’ll go nowhere against Baltimore. … Colts QB Anthony Richardson might be the most overrated player in fantasy, and he will continue to underwhelm in Houston … Rams QB Matthew Stafford will have trouble dealing with the Vikings’ blitz. … Same with Cincy QB Joe Burrow against Philly. … And it’s about time for Atlanta TE Kyle Pitts to return to statistical obscurity after a few good weeks.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Matchup game

We believe Tua Tagovailoa returning from his concussions is a very bad idea long-term, but the Miami QB may have a big game Sunday against Arizona. … The only reason the Jets will avoid an upset in New England will be RB Breece Hall. … Buffalo’s Ray Davis will continue to raise eyebrows in Seattle. … Three more running backs that will stay hot: Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt vs. the Raiders, Broncos’ Davonte Williams vs. Carolina and Bears’ D’Andre Swift vs. Commanders. … Pittsburgh WR George Pickens will continue to enjoy the passing touch of Russell Wilson against the Giants. … And Tampa tight end Cade Otten will be very busy as Baker Mayfield’s top receiving option against Atlanta.

Mike McDaniel, entrenador de los Dolphins de Miami, habla con el quarterback Tua Tagovailoa,quien sufrió una conmoción cerebral en el partido ante los Bills de Buffalo, el jueves 12 de septiembre de 2024 (AP Foto/Rebecca Blackwell)

Injury watch

Vikings fans aren’t the only ones on pins and needles to see if Cooper Kupp returns for the Rams on Thursday night. He might. … Same level of concern for Washington’s rookie of the year front-runner Jayden Daniels. … We also could see the return of Indy RB Jonathan Taylor and Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson. … The list of questionables includes Vikings RB Aaron Jones, Jags RB Travis Etienne, Baltimore WR Zay Flowers, Vegas WR Jakobi Meyers and Niners tight end George Kittle.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Deepest sleeper

Cleveland is a mess after the abrupt end of the Deshaun Watson Era. But this could be a great opportunity for wide receiver Cedric Tillman. He caught eight passes for 81 yards last Sunday despite coming into the game with only nine career yards. The sophomore out of Tennessee could quickly become a favorite of Watson’s successor, who we’re guessing will be Jameis Winston.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

The Thursday pick

Vikings at Rams (+2½):
Pick: Vikings by 3

Minnesota Vikings place-kicker Will Reichard (16) warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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