Rough estimated return timetable surfaces.
We have some new and a little more specific information on Chris Godwin’s lingering injury, though the report only invites more questions.
Chris Godwin last year had his ankle destroyed against Baltimore. And he had surgery. Twice. And he came back to play 105 snaps this season against Philadelphia and Seattle before he went back on the shelf with what the Bucs will only refer to as “fibula,” which is his original injury suffered against Baltimore.
As one can expect, Bucs coach Todd Bowles has been vague about what’s going on with Godwin and the nature of his “fibula” injury that he put him back on the sidelines the past three games.
Again on Thursday, Godwin did not practice, which has been the norm for him the past month. As seen on ESPN, Jeremy Fowler had some information on Godwin’s injury and it doesn’t sound like he will play in the near future.
“He aggravated his fibula earlier in the year,” Fowlers said of Godwin. “[The Bucs just don’t want to press it with him.
“They are thinking late-November, December with Chris Godwin so they will take it week to week with him. They will see if he can practice on Friday but he was not out there today.”
Well, Fowler said Godwin “aggravated” his fibula injury. When? Earlier this year, Godwin went back for a second surgery on his fibula. The Bucs were adamant at the time it was just a routine cleanup.
Many doctors will suggest there is no such thing as a “routine” surgery.
Is this when Godwin “aggravated” his fibula, as Fowler suggested, causing Godwin to go under the knife a second time? Or is Fowler referring to Godwin aggravated his fibula during the Seahawks game? Fowler was not clear.
If the Bucs really are going to take it easy on Godwin and not rush him back, then Joe is going to guess that Fowler’s rough estimate of a December return is likely more accurate than a November return.
In the video you can see below, Fowler has little information on Bucky Irving, but WTSP-TV Channel 10 sports anchor Evan Closky typed that Fowler reported Irving’s shoulder is the biggest concern for the Bucs.
Jeremy Fowler talked about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers injury situation on Sportscenter today.
He mentioned the shoulder injury is more of a concern for Bucky Irving than his foot.
He also said Chris Godwin Jr. might not be back until "late November-December." pic.twitter.com/Xtjn1fYPlM
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) November 6, 2025