Tampa Bay Buccaneers News & Rumors

Chris Godwin continues inching towards a possible return for the Buccaneers. When speaking to reporters for the first time since he resumed practicing in August, the Pro Bowl wideout called himself a “game-time decision” regarding Tampa’s season opener against the Cowboys. 

“I don’t have a definitive answer,” Godwin said, via ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “I’m just really grateful to be out there right now.” The 26-year-old began participating in individual drills last month, making incremental progress from the knee injury which ended his season last December. Earlier this week, he shed the knee brace he had been using, opening up the possibility that he could suit up for Week 1.

“I think it’s a really like complicated process,” Godwin cautioned, however. “Obviously, you come off a major injury like this, you never really know how you’re gonna feel. But I’ve been doing really well… I’ve been doing a lot of stuff, and like each day, it’s very different than the day before… I think whenever the time comes for the game, I think everybody will know, but until then, even I’m not sure.”

Laine notes that Godwin has still yet to be cleared for contact in practice, so it would come as little surprise if the team were to remain cautious with him and keep him sidelined. Tampa Bay made a sizeable commitment to Godwin this offseason, signing him to a three-year, $60MM deal to avoid a situation where he played out the 2022 season on the franchise tag. The Buccaneers also have a bevy of other high-end receivers to rely on should Godwin be unable to start the season, including Mike Evans, Julio Jones and Russell Gage.

“[The games] count the same, but we want him well,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “I don’t want him out there before it’s time. If he’s healthy and ready to go and they clear him, and everybody feels he’s ready to go and it’s completely 100%, then you take your shot. Anything less than that, I’d rather him sit.”

Godwin’s status will therefore likely come down to the wire on Sunday. His return will be a welcomed sight for the Buccaneers whenever it happens, but it may not take place for another week or so.

The Buccaneers are expected to once again have one of the league’s most potent passing attacks in 2022. Much of the team’s success in that department will depend on the health status of Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin. Today saw an encouraging piece of news on that front. 

Godwin practiced without a knee brace, as detailed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (video link). That marks another notable milestone in his recovery from the torn ACL which ended his 2021 campaign. Despite being limited to 14 games as a result of the injury, he topped 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. That left him as one of several big-name free agents Tampa Bay had to find a way to re-sign this offseason.

The team was able to do just that, signing the 26-year-old to a three-year, $60MM deal. The move signalled confidence that Godwin would be able to recover in full, and remain an instrumental part of the Buccaneers’ high-octane offense pairing with Mike Evans. Notable additions were nevertheless made, including Russell Gage and Julio Jones in free agency; that quartet will give Tom Brady plenty of options even in a pass-catching corps which no longer includes Rob Gronkowski.

Those deals have, of course, led to some surprising moves with respect to roster cuts. Chief among them was 2020 fifth-rounder Tyler Johnson being lost to the Texans on waivers last week. A healthy Godwin would once again provide significant production from the slot, though, alleviating the potential concerns generated by Johnson’s absence.

If Godwin continues to make progress throughout the week, he could be available to play in Week 1. It will likely take several days for his status to be confirmed one way or another, but his season-long outlook at the least continues to look positive – something which will be highly important for him individually and one of the NFC’s presumed heavyweights generally.