Yardbarker
x
Todd Bowles addresses if Chris Godwin could play in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Buccaneers' Todd Bowles addresses if Chris Godwin could play in Week 1

Outsiders still have more questions than answers regarding how Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin is recovering from the gruesome dislocated left ankle, high ankle sprain, fractured fibula and torn deltoid that he suffered in October 2024. 

During a recent chat with Ira Kaufman of the JoeBucsFan website, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was asked if there's a chance that Godwin could be cleared to play in Tampa Bay's regular-season opener at the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7.

"Right now, yes," Bowles responded. Bowles also insisted that Godwin has been "moving in the right direction" as veteran Buccaneers players began reporting for training camp on Tuesday. 

According to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, Godwin entered Week 7 of last season leading the NFL in receptions, receiving touchdowns, receiving first downs and yards after the catch. Some then wondered if Godwin's Tampa Bay career essentially ended when he went down on Oct. 21, but he ultimately agreed to a three-year, $66M contract with $45M guaranteed to stay with the Buccaneers. 

Eyebrows nevertheless were raised when the Buccaneers selected promising Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick of this year's draft. The assumption is that Egbuka could serve as a Godwin replacement for up to four games if the 29-year-old begins September on the physically unable to perform list. 

"He’s working his way back," Bowles added about Godwin. "He had a procedure. He’s feeling well. He’s in good spirits, and he’s working his way back. And, you know, when I see more and he does more, I’ll have more news. But right now there’s no update on him. But Chris, hopefully, will be back very soon. And I can’t tell you when, but he’s in good spirits and he’s moving around and he’s getting going and he’s ramping up."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Buccaneers tied for seventh among the betting favorites at +1300 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. Such forecasts show why Bowles and Co. may not rush Godwin back before the wideout proves he is as healthy as he's going to get coming off his devastating injury. 

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!