Chris Godwin won't be available for the Bucs' Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers' Chris Godwin officially ruled out for Week 2 vs. Panthers

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/19/20

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed Chris Godwin in concussion protocol earlier this week, and now the wide receiver won't be available for the team's Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Godwin has been ruled out for Sunday's home opener at Raymond James Stadium.

Buccaneers’ WR Chris Godwin has been ruled out for Sunday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2020

The 24-year-old supposedly suffered the injury when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from New Orleans Saints safety D.J. Swearinger during Week 1.

Losing Godwin is a huge loss for the Buccaneers — more specifically for Tom Brady. The six-time Super Bowl champion targeted Godwin seven times, with the wide receiver reeling in six catches for 79 yards — a team-high.

Three years after entering the NFL, Godwin is considered to be one of the league's rising talents and has put himself in a good position to receive a hefty raise on his next deal. In 2019, he recorded 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games. A hamstring injury sidelined him for the final two games of the season and the Pro bowl.

Now that he's unavailable for Week 2, Brady will have to rely on Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski and possibly Justin Watson or Scotty Miller.

More must-reads: