The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a 2-0 start to the 2025 season and are finding success on offense, despite being without one of their top wide receivers.
Chris Godwin, who has yet to play a game this season, has been sidelined with an injury throughout training camp and into the regular season. Here’s what’s keeping him out and everything to know about his status as he works toward a return.
Chris Godwin Injury Update: Latest on the Veteran Wide Receiver’s Status and Timeline for His Return
In October 2024, Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle in Tampa Bay’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. After getting an MRI, it was determined he would need surgery.
The surgery kept him out for the rest of the 2024 season, and at the start of training camp this year, the Buccaneers placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
On August 21, 2025, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Buccaneers had elevated Godwin off the PUP list and added him to the 53-man roster. Schefter noted that while he was activated, Tampa Bay isn’t expecting him to return to full strength and play until October.
Sources: Buccaneers plan to activate WR Chris Godwin off the Physically Unable to Perform list and have him on their 53-man roster to start the season, but only to begin his ramp-up process for games, not to immediately play in them. Godwin still is unlikely to play until October… pic.twitter.com/zGaaVeTRYc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2025
On September 11, 2025, ESPN reported that the veteran wideout practiced for the first time this season. He was limited, but it’s still a positive sign.
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler recently provided an update on Godwin’s potential return. “Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (knee) is progressing well in practices, but people I’ve talked to believe a Week 3 return might be ambitious,” Fowler wrote. “Week 4 against Philadelphia, however, feels like a real possibility.”
Godwin was ultimately ruled out for the Week 3 game against the New York Jets.
According to The Stone Clinic, the ankle dislocation Godwin suffered, which reportedly involved structural damage, restricts any range of motion for the first four weeks after surgery.
Following that period, impact and cutting exercises are not allowed for three months. Based on this timeline, it’s clear why Tampa Bay is taking a cautious approach and ensuring he’s fully healed before returning him to game action.
Godwin has been a key part of Tampa Bay’s offense since the team selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Over his eight-year career, he has recorded four 1,000-yard seasons and totaled 579 catches for 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Rod Christopher Godwin Jr.
📺: #TBvsDET on FOX pic.twitter.com/Cf24K4Dm7K
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 15, 2024
While he hasn’t yet begun year nine of his NFL career, Godwin will be a welcome addition once he returns to full health, joining veteran Mike Evans and rookie Emeka Egbuka to form one of the league’s top wide receiver groups.
Godwin has been a consistent and reliable target for Baker Mayfield since the quarterback took over the starting job in 2023, and he will look to help the team make a push for their fifth straight NFC South title, for a new record and playoff berth upon his return.
