The Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain without wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has missed three consecutive games with a fibula injury suffered in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks. As the team enters its Week 9 bye, Godwin’s status remains uncertain, and head coach Todd Bowles has not provided a clear timeline for his return.
Will Chris Godwin Return in Week 10 or Remain Sidelined?
As detailed by PFSN’s LeeAnn Lowman, Godwin has endured a long and grueling road back from injury. His struggles began in Week 7 of the 2͏024͏ season against the Baltimore Ravens, when a tackle by linebacker Ro͏quan͏ ͏Sm͏i͏th led to a ͏devastating dislocated ankle.
Lowman explained that the ͏injury͏ occurred when Smit͏h brought Godwin͏ down, twisting his ankle and trapping it, leading to a͏ dislocation.
That injury ͏required ͏surgery, followed by months of physical ͏͏͏͏therapy and rehabilitation.͏͏ Godwin ͏was forced͏ to miss the͏ remainder of ͏the͏ 2024 season, the entire ͏offseason, and ͏͏the͏ first three games ͏͏of 2025. By ͏͏the͏ time he ͏returned to the͏ ͏field in ͏͏Week 4, nearly 11͏ months had passed since ͏his͏ initial injury.
Godwin’s absence, along with those of running back Bucky Irving and offensive lineman Luke Goedeke, has disrupted a Buccaneers offense that has struggled to find consistency over the past two games.
“I think that will be discussed at the end of the week,” Bowles said. “I think those guys will start doing some things this week depending on the progress they make.”
Bowles did not clarify what those “things” might include, and he reiterated that there is no set timetable for Godwin’s return. The veteran receiver has not practiced since the injury and has been listed as a non-participant for three straight weeks.
“We will see how practice goes next week if they can get some things done this week,” Bowles added. “I do not have a timeline on it either, [we] just have to see how they are progressing.”
Is Godwin on the IR List?
The Buccaneers have not placed Godwin on injured reserve, which suggests the team believes he could return soon. Keeping him on the active roster allows for a potential return at any time and indicates that the injury is not considered season-ending.
Before going down, Godwin had six receptions for 52 yards on 14 targets in two healthy games. His extended absence has forced Tampa Bay to lean more heavily on rookie Emeka Egbuka and veteran Mike Evans. However, Evans is now dealing with a clavicle injury and is expected to be out for the foreseeable future.
Egbuka has stepped up this season, totaling 562 receiving yards and five touchdowns through eight games. Still, the Buccaneers have missed Godwin’s route precision, third-down reliability, and ability to work the middle of the field. With both of their top veteran receivers sidelined, the offense has leaned on younger targets and struggled to find rhythm.
Tampa Bay’s PFSN Offense Impact Score is 71.3 with a C- grade, ranking 21st in the NFL. The metric reflects the unit’s diminished explosiveness and efficiency without key contributors like Godwin, Evans, and Irving.
The Buccaneers (6-2) hope the Week 9 bye provides enough recovery time for Godwin to return in Week 10 against the New England Patriots. His presence would offer a much-needed boost to a depleted receiving corps and help stabilize an offense that has been forced to adjust on the fly.