Tampa Bay finds itself managing ongoing injury concerns with multiple key players as they prepare for Sunday’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Chris Godwin appeared on the injury report after missing practice. For fantasy football managers counting on the veteran receiver’s continued availability, what does this development mean?
Chris Godwin Injury Update
Godwin returned to action two weeks ago after an 11-month absence caused by the severe ankle injury he sustained in Week 7 of last season. The dislocated ankle required multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, keeping him sidelined through the entire offseason and first three games of 2025.
Since his comeback, Godwin has looked physically healthy on the field. He has played over 80% of the snaps in his two games back and averaged 34 routes per contest, indicating the coaching staff trusts his mobility and conditioning. However, his production has been disappointing with just six receptions for 52 yards on 14 targets.
Wednesday brought an unexpected development when Godwin was absent from practice. The official injury report listed him as dealing with a fibula issue.
Head coach Todd Bowles provided immediate context. According to Greg Auman, Bowles said “I’m pretty sure he was sore,” suggesting the absence was precautionary rather than indicating a new significant injury.
This appears to represent maintenance for a 29-year-old receiver whose body is still adjusting to the demands of regular football after such an extended layoff. The fibula designation likely refers to general soreness in the area that was previously injured, rather than a new structural problem.
It’s natural to expect increased soreness as Godwin’s body adapts to playing weekly games again. The Buccaneers are likely being extra cautious with a player who represents a significant investment and is still working his way back to full game shape.
Fantasy managers should expect Godwin to return to practice on Thursday and be available for Sunday’s game against the 49ers. The missed practice appears to be standard veteran maintenance rather than a concerning setback in his recovery process.
Update:Â Godwin did not, in fact, return to practice on Thursday. He missed his second consecutive session, suggesting this may be more than just soreness. It is highly likely whatever Godwin is experiencing in his fibula is tangentially related to his ankle injury, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a concern.
Back-to-back DNPs are ominous. At this point, fantasy managers should prepare to be without Godwin this week. However, he is a veteran and could easily play with a single limited practice on Friday. But if he doesn’t get that limited practice in, he is almost certainly not going to play. With Mike Evans still out as well, Sterling Shepard would serve as the WR2 alongside Emeka Egbuka.
Second Update:Â ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Godwin is not expected to play this week. He is likely headed toward a third DNP on Friday and he won’t even be listed as questionable, he will simply be ruled out.
Godwin Fantasy Outlook
We all saw the 10 targets earned by Godwin in his season debut against the Eagles and were impressed, but maybe we were a little ahead of ourselves.
The veteran receiver, coming off of a devastating ankle injury, earned just four looks in Sunday’s 38-35 win in Seattle, and with Emeka Egbuka dominating down the field, Godwin’s aDOT was just 2.8 yards (Week 4: 15.1).
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if there’s one part of his game that figures to come back slowest, it’s the sudden cuts, something he needs access to in a big way to make looks like that matter.
Even without much in the way of production, if you told me that, entering Week 6, we’d have two games from Godwin where his snap share was north of 75%, I’d be thrilled.
He’s not a top 30 receiver for me this week and won’t be until we see some level of explosion from him. I still fear what happens to his target share when Mike Evans (hamstring) returns, but the end-of-season schedule is enticing enough that I’m never going to consider moving on from him (both Panther games along with matchups against the Saints, Falcons, and Dolphins over the final five weeks of this regular season).
— PFSN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
Week 6 WR Rankings
1) Puka Nacua | Los Angeles Rams (at BAL)
2) Amon-Ra St. Brown | Detroit Lions (at KC)
3) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle Seahawks (at JAX)
4) Rome Odunze | Chicago Bears (at WAS)
5) Drake London | Atlanta Falcons (vs. BUF)
6) Emeka Egbuka | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
7) Garrett Wilson | New York Jets (vs. DEN)
8) George Pickens | Dallas Cowboys (at CAR)
9) Deebo Samuel Sr. | Washington Commanders (vs. CHI)
10) Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals (at GB)
11) Davante Adams | Los Angeles Rams (at BAL)
12) Quentin Johnston | Los Angeles Chargers (at MIA)
13) Xavier Worthy | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DET)
14) Tetairoa McMillan | Carolina Panthers (vs. DAL)
15) Michael Pittman Jr. | Indianapolis Colts (vs. ARI)
16) Courtland Sutton | Denver Broncos (at NYJ)
17) Jaylen Waddle | Miami Dolphins (vs. LAC)
18) DK Metcalf | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)
19) Stefon Diggs | New England Patriots (at NO)
20) Marvin Harrison Jr. | Arizona Cardinals (at IND)
21) Keenan Allen | Los Angeles Chargers (at MIA)
22) Jakobi Meyers | Las Vegas Raiders (vs. TEN)
23) A.J. Brown | Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)
24) Chris Olave | New Orleans Saints (vs. NE)
25) Ladd McConkey | Los Angeles Chargers (at MIA)
26) Zay Flowers | Baltimore Ravens (vs. LAR)
27) Brian Thomas Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. SEA)
28) DeVonta Smith | Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)
29) Calvin Ridley | Tennessee Titans (at LV)
30) Jameson Williams | Detroit Lions (at KC)
31) Wan’Dale Robinson | New York Giants (vs. PHI)
32) Chris Godwin | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
33) Tee Higgins | Cincinnati Bengals (at GB)
34) DJ Moore | Chicago Bears (at WAS)
35) Khalil Shakir | Buffalo Bills (at ATL)
36) Kendrick Bourne | San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
37) Cooper Kupp | Seattle Seahawks (at JAX)
38) Rashid Shaheed | New Orleans Saints (vs. NE)
39) Matthew Golden | Green Bay Packers (vs. CIN)
40) Jauan Jennings | San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
41) Romeo Doubs | Green Bay Packers (vs. CIN)
42) Tre Tucker | Las Vegas Raiders (vs. TEN)
43) Josh Downs | Indianapolis Colts (vs. ARI)
44) Keon Coleman | Buffalo Bills (at ATL)
45) Jerry Jeudy | Cleveland Browns (at PIT)
46) Darnell Mooney | Atlanta Falcons (vs. BUF)
47) Troy Franklin | Denver Broncos (at NYJ)
48) Elic Ayomanor | Tennessee Titans (at LV)
