The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue managing a devastating wave of offensive injuries as they work through multiple absences that have significantly impacted their passing attack. Chris Godwin has been sidelined with a new health issue that adds to the team’s mounting concerns at the receiver position. For fantasy football managers hoping to have veteran receiver’s services, what is his current status moving forward?
Chris Godwin Injury Update
Godwin returned to action just 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 had looked physically healthy on the field, playing over 80% of the snaps in his two games back while averaging 34 routes per contest. However, his production remained disappointing with just six receptions for 52 yards on 14 targets.
Last Wednesday brought an unexpected development when Godwin was absent from practice with what the team’s injury report listed as a fibula issue. Head coach Todd Bowles initially suggested the absence was precautionary, stating “I’m pretty sure he was sore.”
The situation became more concerning when Godwin missed his second consecutive practice session on Thursday, suggesting this might be more than just routine soreness. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler subsequently reported that Godwin was not expected to play in Week 6 against San Francisco, which wound up being accurate.
Following Sunday’s victory over the 49ers, Bowles provided definitive clarity on Godwin’s immediate future on Monday. The coach stated that Godwin is “not in play” for Week 7’s Monday Night Football contest against the Detroit Lions, removing any ambiguity about his availability for the upcoming primetime matchup.
Bowles clarified that Godwin’s fibula injury affects a different area than what was impacted by last year’s season-ending dislocation. This new injury is unrelated to his surgically repaired ankle, though it occurred during the team’s Week 5 game against Seattle.
The coach characterized Godwin as “week-to-week” with the fibula issue, though the team has no plans to place him on injured reserve at this time. Given the pattern with other injured Bucs players, Godwin will likely remain out through Tampa Bay’s Week 9 bye.
This approach would afford Godwin three full weeks of rest, ensuring he is completely recovered from the fibula injury before returning to action and avoiding any risk of reaggravation. However, this injury does appear to be quite unique, so there is no guarantee Godwin is back even after the bye week.
Godwin Fantasy Outlook
Normally, teams would exercise maximum caution with any injury to a player returning from such a significant previous ailment. However, the Bucs find themselves in an unprecedented injury crisis that may alter their typical approach to player management.
The team is already expecting to be without Bucky Irving through their Week 9 bye as he continues recovering from foot and shoulder injuries. Mike Evans remains sidelined with his own hamstring strain and has yet to return to practice since sustaining the injury three weeks ago.
Emeka Egbuka also suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s game against San Francisco and is expected to miss time as well. The accumulation of injuries has left Tampa Bay desperately thin at skill positions across their entire offensive roster.
As much as the Bucs would prefer to let all their injured players rest through the bye week, they may need anyone who can contribute if their record becomes threatened. If any of their receivers show signs of readiness for Week 7 or Week 8, they will likely be pressed into service.
The next men up at receiver include Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson, who currently represent the healthiest options on the roster. However, neither player offers significant fantasy upside in most league formats given their limited track records.
The most likely scenario involves the Bucs leaning heavily on tight end Cade Otton. He delivered an incredible three-game stretch last season when Evans and Godwin were both unavailable, proving capable of handling increased target volume effectively.
Fantasy managers can throw desperation darts at Shepard or Johnson if needed, but neither represents a recommended waiver wire pickup given their limited production capabilities and the team’s overall offensive limitations without their primary weapons available.
Godwin’s absence removes another reliable fantasy option from Tampa Bay’s already depleted passing attack, further concentrating targets among the remaining healthy skill position players.
