The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing to take on the Los Angeles Rams in NFL Week 12. This is a crucial contest for the Bucs, who have lost three out of their last four games after starting the year 5-1. It hasn’t helped that the team has been without running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin for weeks now. Irving is dealing with foot and shoulder injuries, while Godwin deals with a fibula injury.
Luckily, head coach Todd Bowles offered encouraging updates on his key players on Wednesday.
Will Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin Play in Week 12?
Speaking at his Wednesday presser, Bowles said that Irving and Godwin are both “ramping up” this week. The coach added that what happens on Thursday and Friday will give the team a better idea of where the two stand.
Todd Bowles says that Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin are “ramping up” this week and that tomorrow and Friday will be a better tell of where they’re at pic.twitter.com/6cV56cqXVs
— River Wells (@riverhwells) November 19, 2025
However, Irving was in uniform on Wednesday and was seen practicing and catching passes. Godwin was not seen during the portion of practice open to the media, but arrived at the team facility after.
Godwin hasn’t played since the game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. Godwin returned in Week 4 after missing the first three games due to an injury suffered last season. The receiver has six catches for 52 yards in two games played this season.
Meanwhile, Irving has not played since the Week 4 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Irving was initially expected to miss only a couple of games, but he has now missed six. The running back has 237 rushing yards, 193 receiving yards, and two receiving scores in four games played this year.
The team didn’t have a full practice on Wednesday so that Thursday will be a key indicator. It sounds like both men will definitely be back soon, even if they don’t play this weekend.
Slumping Buccaneers Need Key Starters Back
Since Irving’s injury, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker have split carries. Tucker just had his best game of the season in Week 11 as he rushed for 106 yards and two scores. White, meanwhile, has 376 rushing yards, 144 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns.
PFSN’s RB Impact ranking gives White a 76.9 grade for his 2025 performance, while Irving has a 61.4 for his limited sample size.
At receiver, rookie Emeka Egbuka has shouldered most of the load without Godwin. Franchise legend Mike Evans is out for the season, so Egbuka has been Baker Mayfield’s favorite target and already has 717 yards and six touchdowns.
However, the Bucs won’t want to rely on Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson during a playoff run. Getting the veteran Godwin back will be a huge boost to one of the NFC’s top offenses.
