A former Penn State star and NFL standout is closer to returning from a gruesome injury.
Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin returned to practice on Thursday, according to Buccaneers reporters, after suffering a serious ankle injury last season.
Godwin returned in a limited capacity. Still, it’s positive news seeing the former Penn State star out there for the first time since dislocating his ankle in Week 7 of the 2024 season.
Last month, Bucs coach Todd Bowles indicated that Godwin, who started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, could return anywhere from Week 2 to Week 5.
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that Godwin is still recovering from a second surgery to “fix some of the hardware in his ankle, a procedure that probably sped up his return.” Tampa Bay is hopeful for a Week 5 debut, though Week 6 is also possible, per Rapoport.
Godwin was on track for the best season of his now eight-year career before suffering the ankle injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 21, 2024. In just seven games, he had caught 50 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. At the time, he was leading the league in receptions and ranked second to only Cincinnati Bengals star JaMarr Chase.
Godwin has spent his entire career with the Bucs after they selected him with the No. 84 overall pick in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. In his first seven seasons, the Delaware native has recorded 7,266 receiving yards and 39 touchdowns on 579 receptions.
Godwin, who starred on Penn State’s 2016 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl team, signed a new three-year contract with Tampa Bay worth $66 million in March.
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