One of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ key offensive weapons remains injured. While quarterback Baker Mayfield is excited about throwing to rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, one of his favorite targets, Chris Godwin, is still not ready to play.
Chris Godwin Activated off PUP but Not Expected To Start Week 1
The Buccaneers still have one preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but they have already made the call on Godwin ahead of the regular season.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the team is expected to activate Godwin off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List for the first time since he was injured in Week 7 last year. Godwin will be part of the official 53-man roster but is still working to full fitness.
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
By taking him off the PUP List, the Buccaneers must be optimistic that he will be ready by either week 3 or week 4. Had they kept him on the PUP list, he would be required to miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season.
Schefter added that Godwin will start practicing in week 2, so the earliest he will take the field will be week 3, when the Buccaneers host the New York Jets. Godwin dislocated and fractured his ankle during the Buccaneers’ Week 7 game against the Ravens last October. He has undergone two procedures and is in the rehabilitation stage of his recovery.
Buccaneers To Turn to Egbuka and Mike Evans in Godwin’s Absence
In addition to the left ankle fracture, Godwin also fractured his fibula, tore his deltoid, and had a high ankle sprain. The compounded nature of the injuries meant that his return from injury would be lengthy, and he would take some time to acclimate even when he returns to the field.
The team was always planning for the possibility of Godwin missing time, and drafted Egbuka with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The college football national champion and Ohio State alum is a natural route runner and will be paired with six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans as Mayfield’s primary receiving weapon. Fellow wide receiver Jalen McMillan will also miss the start of the season with a neck injury.
The team still has seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson and veteran Sterling Shepard as backup options.
