Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin has been a tough player for fantasy football managers to figure out in 2023. Having been a top-20 WR in the previous two seasons, he currently sits outside the top 36 at the position and is now dealing with a neck issue that could hamper him in Week 14. Let’s take a look at whether Godwin is playing in Week 13 and what it means for the fantasy value in the Buccaneers offense this week.
Is Chris Godwin Going To Play Week 13?
Godwin was a surprise addition to the Bucs injury report this week. He appeared as a limited participant on Thursday and did not practice on Friday. It is unclear what the injury is or its severity, but neck issues are always tricky. The range of outcomes on neck issues is wide, with some players able to play through them and others having their careers ended or severely hampered.
Head coach Todd Bowles said that Godwin would be a game-time decision on Sunday, and the Bucs play in the afternoon slate. An indication that Godwin may not suit up is Tampa Bay elevating WRs Ryan Miller and David Moore from the practice squad on Saturday.
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The report on Sunday morning from ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated that Godwin is likely to play, but the team still needs to make sure ahead of the game. I think the Bucs will be careful with Godwin and keep him on a very low pitch count. Godwin is the WR29 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings which feels aggressive given the uncertainty of how much Godwin might be on the field.
Given that this is a late game, and we have no idea how much Godwin will or won’t play, fantasy managers may be prudent to sit the Buccaneers’ WR this week unless they have a solid backup option playing in the later slates this week. There is a lot of risk to rolling with Godwin, and the upside is limited based on what we have seen so far this year. The juice may well not be worth the squeeze with Godwin in Week 13.
Potential Fantasy Options if Godwin Is Out Include Mike Evans and Cade Otton
Mike Evans would automatically receive vacated targets if Godwin is sidelined on Sunday. Where Godwin’s season has been trending down, Evans’ season has been trending up, as he is currently the WR8. Evans was the WR1 in Week 12, with 70 yards receiving and two TDs. The problem is that Evans is likely rostered in every league you play in, so unless you already have him, his value increase does not help you.
Past Evans on the depth chart are Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins, who are the only fantasy options in extremely deep leagues. We have seen both flash at times this season, but neither has produced consistently. It is tough to trust either because we do not know for sure how this situation will play out, both with and without Godwin in the lineup.
TE Cade Otton becomes more of a fantasy option if Godwin is out. Tampa Bay plays Carolina this week, and they are sneaky good against WRs, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs, so fantasy managers should temper expectations. If Otton is available in your leagues, you could stash him as a flex option if Godwin is ruled out.
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