Bucs rookie WR's role should increase after Godwin news

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Buccaneers rookie WR's role should increase after Chris Godwin news

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 12:13 PM ET

Another Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver is expected to miss the start of the regular season, placing even more responsibility on rookie Emeka Egbuka.

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens last season. On Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Tampa Bay is planning to activate the one-time Pro Bowler off the physically unable to perform list and place him on the 53-man roster.

However, Schefter added that Godwin isn't expected to play until October, and he's set to begin practicing in Week 2.

Sources: Buccaneers plan to activate WR Chris Godwin off the Physically Unable to Perform list and have him on their 53-man roster to start the season, but only to begin his ramp-up process for games, not to immediately play in them. Godwin still is unlikely to play until October… pic.twitter.com/zGaaVeTRYc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2025

Godwin's injury update is costly for a Buccaneers receiving corps that's already riddled with injuries.

On Tuesday , Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles announced WR Jalen McMillan will miss Week 1 because of a neck injury. Some reports have suggested the WR could miss half of the regular season.

Tampa Bay WR Trey Palmer, meanwhile, has battled a hamstring injury throughout training camp and the preseason.

The injuries could certainly lead to an increased role for Egbuka, who Bowles and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield have been hyping throughout training camp. It's easy to see why.

Like Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Egbuka is an efficient route runner. Per Pro Football Focus, the former Ohio State Buckeye averaged a stellar 2.64 yards per route run in four seasons in Columbus. Jefferson, meanwhile, logged 2.44 yards per route run in three seasons with the LSU Tigers. This stat divides a player's total receivi ng yards by the number of routes they ran to measure efficiency.

He was also a productive college player like Jefferson, who had 165 receptions for 2,415 yards and 24 touchdown catches at LSU.

Egbuka finished with the most receiving yards (2,868) and most receptions (205) in Ohio State history. He could continue to thrive in a pass-happy system. The Buccaneers ranked 10th in the NFL in passing attempts (571) in 2024.

The 22-year-old (pick No. 19) could have more work in store amid the rash of WR injuries. It seems Egbuka can handle it.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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