Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin, who last played Oct. 21, 2024, was back at Bucs practice on Thursday.
Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin, who last played Oct. 21, 2024, was back at Bucs practice on Thursday.
TAMPA — Bucs receiver Chris Godwin and tackle Tristan Wirfs both returned to practice Thursday as part of a plan to prepare them to play in games within the next several weeks.
Godwin had not practiced since dislocating an ankle last October. Wirfs underwent knee surgery in July and had not participated in training camp or the preseason.
Godwin, who signed a three-year, $66 million contract extension in March, isn’t expected to return to the playing field until next month.
#Bucs WR Chris Godwin (headband) practices for the first time since dislocating his ankle last season. pic.twitter.com/hNRfe4CaBI
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 11, 2025
Wirfs, who had surgery to repair a torn medial collateral ligament, possibly could be back in the lineup a week or so earlier.
The Bucs’ plan is for Godwin and Wirfs to only practice twice this week as they begin to ramp up their football conditioning in order to play a full game.
Godwin was leading the NFL with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns when he sustained a gruesome ankle injury after getting tackled by Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith late in the fourth quarter of the Bucs’ 41-31 loss to the Ravens on Oct. 21.
Tristan Wirfs (78) returns to practice for tur first time since knee surgery in July. Part of a slow ramp up. He and Chris Godwin will practice twice this week. pic.twitter.com/39A2d1TZBh
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 11, 2025
To further complicate things, receiver Jalen McMillan suffered a severe neck sprain in a preseason game at Pittsburgh three weeks ago. McMillan will be out until after the Bucs’ Week 9 bye,
Fortunately, the Bucs used their first-round pick to draft Ohio State receiver Emeka Egnbuka, who had two touchdown receptions, including the game-winner, over the Falcons in his rookie debut last Sunday.
With Wirfs out, the Bucs reshuffled their offensive line just prior to the season opener. They moved center Graham Barton to left tackle and guard Ben Bredeson to center, and they elevated Michael Jordan from the practice squad to start at right guard.
There could be another change. Charlie Heck took reps at right tackle with Luke Goedeke missing practice Thursday.
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