TAMPA, Fla. – There were plenty of good moments for the Bears in their 26-21 victory over the Buccaneers, but they didn’t leave Raymond James Stadium unscathed.
Rookie defensive lineman Eddie Goldman suffered a right ankle injury in the second half and did not return. Goldman was in a walking boot afterward, which typically isn’t a good sign.
“I can’t talk about my injury,” Goldman said.
Goldman was able to walk off under his own power, putting weight on his right ankle and leg. After a brief examination on the medical table and high-fiving fans — “I got to show the fans love,” Goldman said — he was carted off to the locker room.
The Bears’ second-round pick this year, Goldman has flashed his potential throughout this season, often displaying his great strength, including on Sunday. He has started 12 of 15 games, making 4 ½ sacks and six tackles for loss.
“We’ve had ups and downs,” Goldman said. “We haven’t won much, so it wasn’t good enough. … [But] when you first come in, man, that’s what you want to do, establish yourself. I’m working on that.”
Goldman did win bragging rights over Bucs rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, a teammate at Florida State. He piled on outside linebacker Pernell McPhee’s sack of Winston late in the second quarter.
“I got to hit him a couple times,” Goldman said. “He’s a great competitor, and it’s too bad I had to leave the game early.”
This and that
>> Defensive end Jarvis Jenkins suffered an ankle injury, but finished the game. He was in a walking boot afterward.
>> Coach John Fox said receiver Eddie Royal played through an illness. He had five catches for 21 yards and also dropped a pass in the end zone late in the first half.
>> Linebacker Shea McClellin (concussion) and receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) traveled with the team but did not play.
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Email: ajahns@suntimes.com
