The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a huge deal when wide receiver Chris Godwin returned in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles — as they should have — after he missed the previous 14 games with a dislocated left ankle suffered early in the 2024 regular season.
The only problem? It was all a bit premature.
Godwin returned for 2 games and struggled with irritation in that same injury before heading back to the sideline. This time, he missed 5 more games.
Now, it appears as if Godwin could be back in the lineup against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, according to Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles when he spoke with the media on Friday, November 21, with Godwin listed as a full participant in practice.
The Buccaneers are 6-4 after losing 2 consecutive games.
“Ben Bredeson, Bucky Irving, Jamel Dean and Haason Reddick are OUT, per Todd Bowles,” Bucs Gameday’s River Wells wrote on X. “Chris Godwin is ‘definitely trending toward playing.’ ”
“Bowles says Chris Godwin is trending on playing Sunday vs. Rams,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account.
Buccaneers in Desperate Need of Offensive Boost
Last year’s 3 starting wide receivers for the Buccaneers were Godwin, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan — a group that has only played in 6 out of a possible 30 games this season.
Evans missed time with a hamstring injury then broke his collarbone in a Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions. There’s still a chance he could return later this season.
McMillan was thought to have a severely sprained neck after falling awkwardly during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and was thought to be out until at least Week 9. His return was delayed even further when it was revealed McMillan actually had broken bones in his neck, with Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals targeted as his earliest possible return.
With rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka doing the lion’s share of work so far this season but starting to hit a wall — he only has one game over 60 receiving yards and just one touchdown over his last 5 games — Godwin’s return could not come at a better time.
The truth is, Egbuka and Godwin are cut from a similar cloth. Getting the 2 of them operating at a high level will keep any NFL defense on its heels.
“I think Chris is very methodical and planned out and everything,” Egbuka said earlier this month. “He’s a little more wired my way … (learning from Evans and Godwin) is a cheat code. I’ve learned so much, even in this short amount of time.”
Godwin One of NFL’s Most Respected Receivers
The Buccaneers showed exactly what they thought of Godwin when they signed him a 3-year, $66 million contract in March — and doing so despite him coming off a severe injury.
The amount of respect Godwin garners in NFL circles was evident in the fact the Buccaneers weren’t the only team trying to land his services, as the New England Patriots reportedly offered him a contract worth between $80 million to $90 million.
Before his injury in 2024, Godwin was fourth in the NFL in receiving yards and had over 1,000 receiving yards in 4 of the previous 5 seasons, including an NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl campaign in 2019 and a Super Bowl win following the 2020 season.
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