The Buccaneers may be sitting at 2-0 with gutsy wins over the Falcons and Texans, but beneath the surface of that early-season high lies a growing problem — an offensive line patched together with tape and prayers. And Todd Bowles made some decisions to keep Baker Mayfield upright.

Tampa Bay didn’t waste any time shoring up the OL amid the injuries to tackle Luke Goedeke and guard Cody Mauch. Todd Bowles went full-on shopping spree in the trenches—grabbing veteran guard Dan Feeney from the Bills’ practice squad, moving Luke Haggard up from their own practice squad, and tossing in Sua Opeta while he was at it.

The goal’s simple: give Mayfield just enough time in the pocket to keep doing what he’s been doing. Just keep the constant pressure at bay. No unnecessary sacks.

Feeney coming aboard is huge for Baker Mayfield. He’s not just filling a spot—he can play guard or center, giving the Bucs the freedom to shuffle the line without blowing up pass protection. Mayfield needs that presence.

And don’t sleep on the practice-squad call-up. At 6’7”, 305, Luke Haggard has been hanging around Tampa since coming in as a UDFA and was a steady starter back at Indiana. Two years in the Bucs’ system means he already speaks the language. So if he’s thrown in, the adjustment won’t be nearly as steep as you’d think.

Meanwhile, Sua Opeta, cut by the Bucs after returning from his ACL injury, has 10 starts under his belt for the Eagles. After the O-line injury mess, this isn’t luxury shopping; it’s pure survival mode.

Todd Bowles gets injury updates on the offensive linemen

This whole roster shuffle wasn’t by choice — it was bad luck striking twice. On Thursday, Tampa Bay had to place right tackle Luke Goedeke and starting guard Cody Mauch on IR, and the team’s announcement laid out the fallout along with the flurry of signings that followed.

Adam Schefter’s initial report on the trio of moves slipped in one key detail: Luke Goedeke should be back later this season, but Cody Mauch is done for the year. That changes the calculus for Tampa — a temporary hole at tackle versus a full-season void on the interior. Yeah, these moves were imperative.

Both of them were crucial pieces to this offense. Mauch gutted it out on Monday, playing every snap in that comeback win before the knee injury diagnosis came down. Now, out for the season. As for Goedeke, he tweaked a foot issue that sends him to IR for at least four games, but at least he’ll be back.

Time will tell whether these new additions actually make a difference or if they’re just short-term stopgaps. Either way, with the Bucs shaping up as real contenders, keeping Baker Mayfield off the turf has to be a top priority. He’s been looking sharp early in the season, and it’d be a real shame to see all that rhythm disappear because he’s getting flattened by constant pressure.