Godwin is back in Tampa Bay after signing a three-year contract extension in March, but he began training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he works his way back from a gruesome ankle injury that ended his 2024 campaign after seven weeks. Once he's healthy and back on the field for Tampa, Godwin will face competition for targets with the addition of first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka joining stalwart Mike Evans and second-year wideout Jalen McMillan. It might prove to be too much for Godwin to overcome since he's never had target competition quite like this and will attempt to come back from his second major injury (the first time took him a while to round into form). It's for the best to consider Godwin a low-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver worth a Round 6 pick (maybe Round 7 in non-PPR), and not the guy who averaged a career-best 19.7 PPR points per game last year. One idea if you draft Godwin is to also draft Egbuka and hope that between the two of them one will be in lineups each week. We'll update his outlook as more news becomes available.
Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Targeting October return?
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The Buccaneers plan to activate Godwin (ankle) from the active/PUP list and carry him on the 53-man roster to begin the regular season so that he will be eligible to practice, though he's considered unlikely to play until October, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Godwin is expected to be ready to practice in some capacity beginning Week 2, and Tampa Bay evidently sees merit in allowing the veteran wideout to begin ramping up as soon as he's able. An October return date would still mean Godwin misses at least the first four games of the regular season, just as if he were to begin the year on IR, with the difference being that he'll be eligible to practice in the interim if carried on the 53-man roster. The Buccaneers' plan is good news with regard to Godwin's chances of hitting the ground running, but it could cause a headache for fantasy managers in seasonal formats, as it means Godwin will have to occupy one of limited roster spots rather than be designated for one of the IR slots common to most fantasy leagues. With Jalen McMillan (neck) also expected to miss time early in the season, Mike Evans, rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and tight end Cade Otton figure to kick off 2025 with increased target volume.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Uncertain for Week 1
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Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said Tuesday that Godwin (ankle) is "exactly where" the team hoped he would be in his recovery, but the team hasn't yet made a decision on whether he will start the season on the reserve/PUP list, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Godwin began training camp on the active/PUP list, and if he's shifted to reserve/PUP he'll have to sit out a minimum of four regular-season games before being activated. The 29-year-old wideout is recovering from a dislocated left ankle suffered in Week 7 of last season, and while by all accounts his recovery is on track, Godwin remains without a timeline to return to practice. As a result, his availability for Week 1 is up in the air. Rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, second-year wideout Jalen McMillan and tight end Cade Otton (hamstring) could all benefit from increased target opportunities if Godwin does have to miss time.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: No timeline to practice yet
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Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Godwin (ankle) is "on track" but doesn't have a specific timeline to return to practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Godwin is coming back from an ankle dislocation suffered in Week 7 last season and hasn't resumed practicing. He's on the PUP list for the start of training camp, with Bowles' comments suggesting a return isn't imminent. The Bucs were confident enough in Godwin's recovery to give him $44 million guaranteed on a three-year, $66 million contract in March, but the rehab process does seem to be coming along more slowly than many expected (at least outside the organization).
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Officially on active/PUP list
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The Buccaneers placed Godwin (ankle) on the active/PUP list Tuesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
On Monday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Godwin wouldn't participate in team drills at the start of training camp, and he won't take part in any on-field work as he continues his recovery from the dislocated left ankle that he suffered Week 7 of last season. Coach Todd Bowles told Stroud in early June that the team was "hopeful" Godwin will be healthy by Week 1, which is six-and-a-half weeks from now (Sunday, Sept. 7 in Atlanta). Prior to the injury, Godwin had put together a sterling 50-576-5 line on 62 targets in seven contests, and he re-signed with Tampa Bay this offseason via a three-year, $66 million contract.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Not cleared for team activities
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Godwin (ankle) will not participate in team drills at the start of training camp, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Godwin is finishing up his rehab from the ankle dislocation that ended his 2024 campaign in Week 7. He averaged a career-high 7.1 catches per game before the injury, which led to a three-year, $66 million contract this offseason -- with two-thirds guaranteed at signing -- even though he's 29 years old and coming back from a major injury. Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said in June that he was hopeful Godwin would be ready for Week 1, but neither player nor team have elaborated on whether that's the expectation or merely a possibility. Tampa Bay has solid WR depth in the meantime, with first-round pick Emeka Egbuka joining Godwin, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Optimism for Week 1
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Godwin (ankle) is "working hard" approaching mandatory minicamp and that the team is "hopeful" he'll be ready to go Week 1, Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times reports.
Godwin began the 2024 campaign on fire, averaging 7.1 targets and 82.3 yards per game while scoring five times across the first seven weeks of the season, but a dislocated left ankle cut what could have been a career year short. That injury didn't impact Tampa Bay's decision to extend Godwin a three-year, $66 million contract in March, another indication that the team expects him to be at full strength for 2025, though Bowles did indicate that his most significant recovery benchmarks won't occur until training camp. The 29-year-old returns to familiar offensive circumstances alongside quarterback Baker Mayfield and star wideout Mike Evans, though the selection of rookie first-round receiver Emeka Egbuka and replacement of Liam Coen with Josh Grizzard at offensive coordinator are both notable developments. Even when he's back at full health, Godwin will have difficulty replicating the workload and efficiency that buoyed his production to an elite tier in 2024.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Re-signs for three years
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Godwin (ankle) and the Buccaneers reached agreement Monday on a three-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Godwin will stay with the only NFL team he's ever known, reportedly getting a $66 million contract that has two-thirds of the money guaranteed at signing. He would've signed an even larger deal if his fantastic 2024 campaign hadn't been cut short by a dislocated left ankle Week 7. It's a good sign that the team with the most information about his recovery was willing to give Godwin a large contract, but we still haven't seen any reports about a recovery timeline or the possibility of ligament damage in his injured ankle. Godwin turned 29 in February, after averaging a career-high 19.7 PPR points in his seven games last season. He's unlikely to approach that level of production in 2025, coming back from a major injury to rejoin a Tampa Bay offense that now has WR Jalen McMillan competing for targets and Josh Grizzard replacing Liam Coen as the play caller.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Not expected to get franchise tag
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The Buccaneers aren't planning to use the franchise tag on Godwin (ankle), Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Tampa Bay has already used the tag on Godwin twice, so using it again would result in a 144 percent raise, Laine notes. She also states that the Buccaneers want Godwin back and that the wideout wants to return to the club, so there appears to be a mutual desire to get a new deal completed. Godwin ended last season on IR due to an ankle injury that he suffered in mid-October, but he's expected to be ready for the start of next season, which will be his ninth in the NFL -- all of which to this point have been with Tampa Bay.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Has void date on contract extended
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The Buccaneers and Godwin (ankle) agreed Tuesday to push back the void date on his contract to March 12, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Godwin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent, and by extending the veteran wideout's void date until the final day of the league year, the two sides will have more time to negotiate a new deal. Auman notes that Tampa Bay will carry some dead money in 2025 from Godwin's current deal no matter what, but the Buccaneers will be able to spread that cap hit over the next two years -- as opposed to having all $18 million on the books next season -- if they are able to work out an extension with the soon-to-be 29-year-old. Godwin ended last season on injured reserve after suffering a dislocated left ankle in Week 7, but he's expected to be healthy by the start of training camp.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Officially placed on IR
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The Buccaneers placed Godwin (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Tuesday that Godwin is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign due to a left ankle dislocation suffered late in Monday's loss to Baltimore. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relays that Godwin underwent successful surgery Wednesday, and there's a possibility that the veteran wideout could return to the field if Tampa Bay makes a deep playoff push. With Godwin sidelined and Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to miss at least three games, quarterback Baker Mayfield will now have to turn to Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard as the top options in his wide receiver room, beginning with Sunday's matchup with Atlanta. Godwin, meanwhile, will turn 29 in February and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Likely done for season
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Tuesday that Godwin will undergo surgery on his dislocated left ankle and will "probably be out for the year," Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Bowles didn't completely close the door on Godwin playing again in 2024 if the Buccaneers make a deep playoff run. After hurting his ankle with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter of Monday's 41-31 loss to the Ravens, Godwin will be embarking on rehab for the second major injury of his career, as he previously tore the ACL and MCL in his knee in Week 15 of the 2021 season. Before going down with the injury, Godwin was in the midst of a stellar season, having put together a 50-576-5 receiving line on 62 targets through seven games. Godwin is scheduled for free agency this offseason and will turn 29 years old in February.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Season-ending surgery on tap
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Godwin is scheduled to undergo surgery on his dislocated left ankle Tuesday and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Godwin was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter of Monday's 41-31 loss to the Ravens with the left ankle injury, with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirming in his postgame press conference that the "early indication" was that the wideout suffered a dislocation. The 28-year-old is slated to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of the damage, which will help doctors decide on what type of surgery he'll require. A timeline for his recovery should be provided once surgery is completed, but fantasy managers should prepare for Godwin's 2024 campaign to come to an end after just seven games. While moving back into the slot on a full-time basis this season under first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Godwin was well on his way to a fourth consecutive 1,000-plus-yard receiving campaign, as he had amassed 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Godwin's expected absence should clear the way for Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard to take on more snaps behind No. 1 wideout Mike Evans, who exited Monday's game with a hamstring injury and appears uncertain to play in Week 8 versus the Falcons.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Likely suffered dislocated ankle
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said after Monday's 41-31 loss to the Ravens that Godwin is feared to have suffered a dislocated left ankle, Coral Smith NFL.com reports.
With about a minute left in the game, Godwin made a 21-yard reception but appeared to severely twist his left leg when he was tackled to the ground. He was later carted off the field with an air cast on his left leg. Godwin will undergo an MRI on Tuesday before the Buccaneers provide an updated diagnosis, but if the dislocated ankle is confirmed and surgery is deemed necessary, he would miss the rest of the season.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Carted off field
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Godwin was carted off the field Monday against the Ravens with his lower left leg in an air cast, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Godwin suffered the leg injury inside the final minute of Monday's contest. It appears to be a serious one. He had accumulated 65 yards on seven receptions prior to going down.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Season-best effort Sunday
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Godwin brought in 11 of 13 targets for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the Buccaneers' 51-27 win over the Saints on Sunday.
Godwin led the Buccaneers across the board in receptions, receiving yards and targets with totals that also all qualified as season highs. The veteran receiver has been an ideal fit in offensive coordinator Liam Coen's system thus far, recording no fewer than five catches in any game and already recording five touchdowns through six games after combining for only that many over the prior pair of campaigns. Following his first multi-score game of the season, Godwin will likely play another sizable role in a Week 7 interconference home showdown against the Ravens on Monday night, Oct. 21.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Modest numbers in OT loss
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Godwin secured five of six targets for 64 yards and committed a fumble recovered by Tampa Bay in the Buccaneers' 36-30 overtime loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.
Godwin co-led the Buccaneers in receptions while setting the pace in receiving yards on the night. However, his target total, which was second on the night to Mike Evans' seven, was Godwin's lowest of the season through five games. Nevertheless, the veteran Penn State product has a critical role in coordinator Liam Coen's offense and next takes aim at a talented Saints secondary in Week 6 road matchup on Sunday, Oct. 13.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Six catches in big win
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Godwin secured six of nine targets for 69 yards in the Buccaneers' 33-16 win over the Eagles on Sunday.
Godwin was either tied for second or the sole runner-up across the board to Mike Evans in terms of his receiving line. Godwin has no fewer than six receptions or eight targets in any of his first four games, although Sunday did see his season-opening three-game touchdown streak come to an end. The Penn State product heads into a Week 5 road divisional clash against the Falcons with a rock-solid fantasy floor and appears to be a seamless fit in new coordinator Liam Coen's offense.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Cleared to face Eagles
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Godwin (neck) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Neither does Mike Evans, whose absence from practice Friday was attributed to 'knee/rest'. Godwin was a limited participant throughout the week and should be ready for his usual workload come Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Tending to neck issue
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Godwin was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a neck injury, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Both Godwin and Mike Evans (knee) are kicking off Week 4 prep with the same amount of on-field work, placing a cloud over the upcoming availability of Tampa Bay's top two wide receivers. The pair will have two opportunities to get back to full practice participation this week before the team potentially gives them designations ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Eagles.
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Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Top DFS Play
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Godwin ranks third in the NFL in catches, seventh in receiving yards, and third in Fantasy points amongst receivers. This week, he's not even the most expensive wide receiver on his own team. He should be the chalkiest of wide receivers, but I do not want to be without him in cash games.
