When it comes to injuries, it appears there is only bad news on the horizon for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The latest blow might be the most disheartening to date as news broke that NFL All-Pro wide receiver Chris Godwin reportedly won’t play against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6.
“Bucs WR Chris Godwin (fibula) is not expected to play Sunday vs. 49ers, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on his official X account on Friday, October 10.
Godwin missed the last 10 games of the 2024 season and the first 3 games of the 2025 regular season as he recovered froma dislocated left ankle.
In the 2 games since his return, Godwin has just 6 receptions for 52 yards — 3 receptions and 26 yards in both a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4 and in a road win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.
“Chris Godwin is now NOT expected to play this week. Very interesting,” Dr. Jeff Mueller wrote on his official X account. “Hardware from his prior surgeries may be causing irritation because otherwise, fibula is a unique/specific injury designation.”
Bucs May Have Let Godwin Come Back Too Soon
Godwin was never placed on injury reserve this season due to the Buccaneers believing they would benefit more from having him practice the first 4 weeks and continue to recover from his injury with the thought he might play his first game in Week 5 against the Seahawks.
That’s why it was a surprise to see Godwin back against the Eagles — possibly giving in to the emotion of wanting to make his debut for a huge home game against the defending Super Bowl champions.
“Godwin hasn’t practiced this week and looked limited for much of the Seattle game,” NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account on October 10. “More Shepard, more Tez vs. 49ers on Sunday.”
One thing the Buccaneers might have going for them is that the 49ers are just as badly hurt as them now, if not more so.
“Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., Bucky Irving, Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison all in serious doubt for Sunday (against 49ers),” 10 Tampa Bay TV’s Evan Closky wrote on his official X account. “The Niners injury report is simply too long.”
Rookie Has Become WR1 for Buccaneers
Not having Godwin on the field against the 49ers would mean the Buccaneers will be without all 3 of their projected starting wide receivers for the first time this season.
NFL All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury. Second year wide receiver Jalen McMillan isn’t expected back until Week 10 and has yet to play this season with a severe neck sprain.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, they’re off to a 4-1 start thanks to the brilliant play of 2025 first round pick and rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Egbuka, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, is fourth in the NFL in receiving through 5 games — his first 5 NFL games — with 25 receptions for 445 yards and 5 touchdowns.
“Emeka Egbuka is the 3rd player since 1970 with 425+ receiving yards and 5+ rec TD through 5 career games along with Randy Moss and Ja’Marr Chase,” CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson wrote on X on October 5.
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