Through the first seven weeks of the 2024 NFL season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin was playing at an elite level.
However, during the final moments of the Bucs’ Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Godwin suffered a gruesome injury. Let’s examine what happened to Godwin, what his absence has meant for Tampa Bay, and whether there’s a glimmer of hope for him returning in 2024.
What Is Chris Godwin’s Injury?
The Buccaneers were 4-2 and looked like the top team in the NFC South entering Tampa Bay’s Week 7 matchup against the Ravens, and Godwin’s play was a big reason for the team’s success.
Unfortunately, Godwin suffered a devastating ankle injury late in the fourth quarter against Baltimore.
Shortly after, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that Godwin suffered a left ankle dislocation and is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
Before suffering the injury, Godwin was on pace for the best season of his NFL career, catching 50 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns through seven games.
Godwin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
When Will Godwin Return From Injury?
Godwin is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. However, if the Bucs can make the playoffs and go on a run, Bowles left open the possibility of the star wide receiver returning in the postseason.
“He will be undergoing surgery very soon and probably be out for the year,” Bowles said in October. “There’s a chance, if we can make a late playoff run, he could be back.”
Godwin told ESPN’s Jenna Laine the same thing when discussing his recovery timeline.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
“I mean, I think that’s best-case scenario, right? Like, absolute best case,” Godwin said about a potential postseason return. “For all involved. Everything lines up. That’s what you kind of aim for.”
On the Monday after Week 15, Godwin was seen leaning on a crutch while handing out Christmas gifts to children impacted by homelessness. He spoke about his recovery and called it a “slow grind.” When asked for an update about his potential availability for the playoffs, Godwin said it was “too soon to really know for sure” but noted he was trying to remain optimistic about the possibility.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin gives me an update on his recovery from a Week 7 ankle injury.
"It's a slow grind for sure, but like anything else, it just takes a lot of work." #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/E6zP7Yoo1F
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) December 16, 2024
According to Pro Football Network’s Playoff Predictor, the Bucs currently have an 86.2% chance of making the playoffs. Tampa Bay has surged past the Atlanta Falcons thanks to the Falcons’ four-game losing streak, coupled with the Bucs’ four-game win streak since their Week 11 bye.
It remains to be seen if Godwin will be there for the playoffs should the Buccaneers win their fourth straight NFC South title, but it doesn’t sound out of the question.
Since Godwin is entering free agency, the opportunity to return and prove he’s fully healthy before hitting the open market is likely appealing.
How Has Godwin’s Absence Impacted the Buccaneers?
The Buccaneers lost four straight beginning with that fateful Week 7 game, in which Mike Evans was also injured after re-aggravating a hamstring injury.
Tampa Bay enjoyed a much-needed bye week in Week 11 and has exploited a much softer schedule with four straight wins. The Bucs did earn one of their most impressive wins of the season in Week 15, dismantling the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 on the road.
Evans has been terrific since his return in Week 12, ranking third in the NFL with 414 receiving yards over that span. Improbably, Evans has a realistic chance of recording his 11th straight 1,000-yard receiving season, which would tie Jerry Rice for the longest streak in NFL history. He needs to average 83.7 receiving yards per game in the final three weeks to hit that mark.
Rookie running back Bucky Irving has also seized control of the committee backfield. Irving has averaged a robust 5.6 yards per carry this season, the fourth-highest among running backs behind Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
If the Bucs can sneak into the playoffs and get Godwin back, they’ll be a tough out that is better than their record indicates given the numerous key players they have lost to injuries throughout this season. After all, Tampa Bay has looked great when healthy and has impressive wins over the current top two seeds in the NFC, the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.