Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans and fantasy football managers alike are holding their breath as Chris Godwin continues his recovery from the dislocated ankle injury that cut short his 2024 campaign. The veteran receiver has undergone multiple surgeries and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP). This means he hasn’t seen practice time throughout training camp, creating uncertainty around his Week 1 availability.
However, the team’s decision to activate him from the PUP list signals optimism about his recovery trajectory. What initially looked like a potential absence stretching into November now appears more manageable, with an October return seeming increasingly realistic. This has created a ripple effect that extends far beyond Godwin’s personal timeline, reshaping both Tampa Bay’s offensive plans and fantasy draft strategies across the league.
What Is Chris Godwin’s Injury?
Godwin remains out after multiple ankle surgeries and hasn’t practiced all camp. He dislocated his ankle during the waning minutes of the Week 7 loss ot the Baltimore Ravens last season.
He was on pace for one of the best seasons of his career before the injury with a league-leading 50 catches and 576 yards (second-most) and five touchdowns (third-most).
While he will not be able to play for the first few weeks, he will return sooner than many expected. The Buccaneers decided he would not start the season on the PUP list, as the team felt good enough about his recovery to activate him.
While Godwin is still going to miss the start of the season, the lack of news suggested he might be out into November. That now seems unlikely. Rookie Emeka Egbuka is expected to start opposite Mike Evans. Still, Godwin should be back sometime in October, putting a wrench in the plans of fantasy managers looking to draft Evans and Egbuka early.
Godwin’s Fantasy Football Outlook
Godwin is currently recovering from a dislocated ankle that ended his season during Week 7 last year. The veteran’s status is in doubt for Week 1, which would immediately force Egbuka into an enhanced role. All reports indicate that the rookie has been balling out throughout camp, described as a polished receiver who can make an impact right away.
CHRIS GODWIN
🏴☠️ 11 receptions
🏴☠️ 125 yards
🏴☠️ 2 TDs
🏴☠️ 35.5 fantasy pointsSTEAL. OF. THE. DRAFT.pic.twitter.com/0ALZBS1VFm
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 13, 2024
While this is a crowded WR room that also includes Evans and Jalen McMillan, the Bucs are a pass-heavy offense that should be involved in several shootouts throughout the year. There’s upside that Egbuka can emerge as one of the top targets in Tampa.
Even though the price has increased, I’m still willing to take a swing for the fences at Egbuka as a high-upside WR3.
