The NFL season is in full swing. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers prepare to set Week 12 lineups, it’s important to stay informed on the latest injury news. Chris Godwin was unable to practice in full the entire week due to injury. What is his current status and outlook for this week?
Is Chris Godwin Playing Week 12?
Godwin missed the season’s opening three weeks recuperating from an ankle fracture sustained late in the 2024 campaign. He made his 2025 debut in Week 4, immediately seeing substantial playing time with an 80 percent snap share. He appeared healthy and displayed no visible limitations from the ankle injury.​
Week 5 delivered similar workload and snap counts, with Godwin again playing close to 80 percent of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps. However, at some point during that contest against the Seattle Seahawks, he sustained a new injury reported as a fibula issue.​
Godwin hadn’t practiced or played since Week 5 until last week. The fibula injury has proven obstinate, keeping him sidelined for six consecutive games. Head coach Todd Bowles addressed the injury previously, clarifying it’s not season-ending, which provides some long-term optimism but minimal clarity on a specific return timeline.​
Godwin returned to practice last week for the first time since the injury. He participated all three days in a limited capacity, marking meaningful progress in his recovery. Despite practicing throughout the week, Godwin was ruled out on Friday for the team’s Week 11 game against Buffalo.​
This week brought even more encouraging developments. Godwin got in a limited practice on Wednesday before surprisingly upgrading to full participation on Thursday. The fact that he was able to practice in full even one day this week is very encouraging for his chances of returning.​
Thursday marked the first time Godwin participated without restrictions since sustaining the fibula injury in Week 5. He downgraded back to limited on Friday, but this is more the team managing a player who has been out an extended period of time with yet another injury. By no means did Godwin suffer a setback.​
In fact, head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Godwin is “definitely trending toward playing”. Bowles emphasized what Godwin’s return would mean for Tampa Bay’s offense. “He’s extremely smart, number one. He’s great in the run game and the pass game. He’s a heck of a blocker and he’s a heck of a receiver; he’s got great hands and is reliable,” Bowles said.​
The Bucs listed Godwin as questionable on Friday’s final injury report. Based on Bowles’ comments and Godwin’s full practice Thursday, he appears on track to make his return Sunday night.​
On Saturday, Dianna Russini reported that Godwin is expected to play.
Godwin’s Fantasy Football Outlook
As for whether fantasy managers should start Godwin, that’s another story. He’s only played two games this season and wasn’t effective in either of them, catching just six passes for 52 yards on 14 targets across those contests. Now he’s coming off an extended layoff and going up against a very good Los Angeles Rams defense.​
Emeka Egbuka’s status as the WR1 is not going to be threatened. The standout rookie has emerged as Tampa Bay’s clear top receiving option during Godwin’s absence, establishing himself as Baker Mayfield’s primary target. If healthy, Godwin would likely overtake Cade Otton as the No. 2 option in the passing game. The veteran tight end has been one of Mayfield’s most trusted targets in recent weeks.​
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The game environment could lead to points being scored in this one, but there’s a lot of risk starting Godwin. First, he hasn’t played in nearly two months after last appearing in Week 5.
The game is Sunday night at 8:20 PM ET, meaning fantasy managers’ options will be limited if they have to pivot off Godwin last minute.​ And we’re not even sure he’s worth starting even if active. It might take Godwin a week or two to get back up to full speed, making him a dicey WR4 in his first game back.
