Bucs relied on Cade Oton to make the tough catches

TAMPA — You can argue about what was more impressive:

The concentration Bucs tight end Cade Oton showed after the pass through the hands of Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington. The way Oton pressed the ball on his right shoulder pad with one hand to make the catch. Or how he took safety Eddie Jackson’s big hit and held on for a 28-yard gain.

The completion from the Baltimore 37 in the fourth quarter helped set up Bucky Irving’s 1-yard touchdown run as Tampa Bay rushed to get back into Monday night’s game against the Ravens. But it was just one of many tough fighting catches Otton made in the 41-31 loss.

The third-year pro from Washington finished with eight catches on 10 targets for 100 yards, a career-high.

“He’s tough, man,” Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen said. “He made some real shots and held on to the football, and Cade is just a pro. I love being around Cade. He’s super intentional, detailed, great guy, and you probably don’t think he’ll be as badass as he is just by being around him.

“He’s tough as nails, and I was really proud of the way he competed Monday night and, shoot, we’re going to have to lean on him along the way. That’s definitely someone we have to rely on, and the quarterback trusts him.”

With Chris Godwin out for the season with a dislocated ankle after an illegal hip drop hit by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and fellow receiver Mike Evans expected to miss at least three games with a hamstring injury, the Bucs will have to find some more targets for Baker . Mayfield.

Prior to Monday, Otton was the fifth or sixth option in the Bucs passing game. But against the Ravens, he proved he’s ready for more.

The first two games this season, Otton was the forgotten man with one catch for 5 yards. He had 18 catches in the next four games.

The Bucs probably hadn’t used Otton enough until injuries forced them on Monday. At 6-foot-4 and 247 pounds, he’s too big for safety. He has decent long speed, but ran the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds at the NFL combine.

What impressed the Bucs on Monday, aside from the shoulder pads, was Otton’s toughness. He took huge hits from the Ravens defense and managed to not only hold on to the ball, but also gain extra yards after the catch.

“I think in taking those hits he made some tougher catches than I’ve seen before,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “Before, he always made the tough catch with guys hanging on him, but they really made some shots there. He had to put his hands above his head and make some plays. He kept his balance and then stayed up, so that was important for us.”

Last season, Oton caught 47 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner in Atlanta and another that put the Bucs ahead in the final minute in Houston.

This year, Oton is on pace for 638 receiving yards, which would be a career high.

No one felt worse about Godwin and Evans’ injuries after Monday’s game than Otton and his teammates.

“I’m sick of it,” Oton said. “Talk about great guys and great leaders, great players. It sucks. It’s the horrible part of this job. But we also have to come together for them and play better, win games and just carry on like they would.”

The Bucs know the NFL is not going to cancel the season. Mayfield will throw against receivers Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer, as well as Tampa Bay’s running backs, on Sunday against the Falcons. Otton said everyone will have to improve to make up for the loss of Godwin and Evans.

“We have a lot of guys who will do that,” he said. “I know that everyone in this locker room has the character to come together and collectively improve our game for the guys who have fallen. I know we will. We’ll practice and watch film and do everything we normally do and trust our process to get better. Our coaches will put together a great game plan, and we just have to execute it the way it’s supposed to be done.”

There are few players Mayfield relies on more to make the tough catch than Oton.

“Cade has always been consistent,” Mayfield said. “(He is) someone we can always rely on. Obviously, last year I think he played 97% of our offensive snaps and he’s just consistent, making plays when we call his number and doing a lot of the dirty work. So he is a man we trust and whom I trust completely.”

Injury update

Running back Bucky Irving, who missed two days of practice this week due to a toe injury, returned to work Friday and will play against the Falcons barring some setback, Bowles said.

Players ruled out for the game include Evans, defensive tackle Greg Gaines (calf) and defensive back Tykee Smith, who remains in the concussion protocol.

Ravens’ Smith fined

Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith was fined $16,833 for what the NFL said was an illegal hip drop tackle on Godwin, causing the season-ending injury.

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