The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are flying high this season, holding a firm lead in the NFC South. As they prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the Bucs will need to deliver another top-tier performance to overcome a tough 49ers squad, even one battling through a wave of injuries.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin, who recently returned to action and provided a spark to Tampa Bay’s offense, was once again a question mark heading into Week 6 after appearing on the injury report.
Will Chris Godwin Play in Week 6?
Godwin returned to action two weeks ago after an 11-month absence due to an ankle injury in Week 7 of last season. The dislocation required multiple surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation process, which kept him out for the entire offseason and the first three games of 2025.
Since making his comeback, Godwin has appeared physically healthy on the field. He has played more than 80% of the snaps in each of his two games and averaged 34 routes per contest, showing that the coaching staff has confidence in his mobility and conditioning. Despite that, his production has been underwhelming, with only six receptions for 52 yards on 14 targets.
Wednesday brought a bit of surprise for the Buccaneers when Chris Godwin was missing from practice. The team’s official injury report cited a fibula issue as the reason for his absence.
Head coach Todd Bowles later downplayed any major concern. Speaking to reporters, he explained, “I’m pretty sure he was sore,” indicating that Godwin’s day off was likely precautionary rather than the result of a new setback.
However, concerns about Godwin’s availability increased after he did not practice on Thursday as well. On Friday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler confirmed that the Buccaneers receiver is not expected to play in Week 6.
The fibula designation likely points to general soreness in the previously injured area rather than a new structural issue, and Godwin will be unavailable for Sunday’s game.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin (fibula) is not expected to play Sunday vs. 49ers, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 10, 2025
Buccaneers insider Rick Stroud then dropped a concerning update on Godwin’s injury. “Chris Godwin’s fibula injury is in a different area than the fracture he suffered when he dislocated his ankle last Oct,” Stroud wrote on X. “Right now he will be week-to-week depending on how he progresses. There are no plans to put him on injured reserve at this time, per sources.”
Based on the latest update, Godwin could miss more games, and it is another blow for the Buccaneers, who are already withoute Mike Evans.
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.
While he hasn’t started year nine of his NFL career on a great note, 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 its fifth straight NFC South title and a playoff berth on his return.
In Godwin’s absence, rookie Emeka Egbuka has stepped into the spotlight, catching 25 passes for 445 yards and five touchdowns. He ranks eighth in PFSN’s Wide Receiver Impact metric and is the only rookie among the top 10.