Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Buccaneers have major WR concern to begin season

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 7:38 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a couple of concerns at wide receiver before they begin the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7.

During an appearance on 95.3 WDAE on Thursday, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht confirmed wide receiver Chris Godwin would miss at least September as he recovers from a dislocated left ankle he suffered in Week 7 of last season that required surgery.

"Chris Godwin will miss the first month ofthe season and possibly more, according to Bucs GM Jason Licht," Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times posted on X. "However, there’s a chance Tristan Wirfs returns sooner. Licht made his comments on @953WDAE."

Chris Godwin will miss the first month of
the season and possibly more, according to Bucs GM Jason Licht. However, there’s a chance Tristan Wirfs returns sooner. Licht made his comments on @953WDAE
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 28, 2025

The loss of Godwin to begin the season is a blow for quarterback Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay's offense. The All-Pro recorded 576 yards and five touchdowns in his seven games played last season. He had three straight 1,000+ yards seasons before the 2024 campaign.

The Buccaneers are also set to be without second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who suffered a severely strained neck during the Buccaneers' 17-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 16. While Tampa Bay designated his return from injured reserve this week, head coach Todd Bowles said McMillan would miss the start of the season.

Mayfield still has six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans to target in September. But Tampa Bay will need rookie Emeka Egbuka to step up early in his career to create space for Evans to shine until Godwin and McMillan are back to spread defenses.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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