Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ expensive investment in Chris Godwin appears to be worsening by the week. The Buccaneers handed their star receiver a 3-year, $66 million contract in March despite him missing most of 2024 with a gruesome dislocated fibula. Now that the gamble appears increasingly risky.
Oct 20, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; The Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet sits on an equipment locker before the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; The Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet sits on an equipment locker before the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Jeremy Fowler delivered disappointing news Thursday about Godwin’s timeline. The ESPN insider revealed Tampa Bay is targeting late November or December for his return after he aggravated the fibula injury. “They just don’t want to press it with him,” Fowlerexplained. “So they’ll take it week to week with him.”
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
The wait has stretched much longer than expected. Godwin has missed 16 of his last 18 games after injuring his knee in Week 7 of the 2024 season against Baltimore. His short return this season offered almost nothing.
He recorded 12 catches for 52 yards with no touchdowns in two games before the setback hit again. The frustration is clear and the uncertainty remains.
Tampa Bay never placed Godwin on injured reserve, suggesting they believed he’d return quickly at full strength. That optimism hasn’t matched reality. He sat out the first three games, struggled through two appearances, then missed three more after hurting the fibula again.
Multiple sources tell ESPN that Chris Godwin underwent a second procedure on his ankle this spring, shedding further light on his rehab from a dislocated ankle last season https://t.co/m8iTD0fsr4
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) July 22, 2025
Jenna Laine reported in July that Godwin required a surprise second surgery on his ankle. “Multiple sources tell ESPN that Chris Godwin underwent a second procedure on his ankle this spring,” Lainewrote on X. That revelation explained why recovery took longer than initially projected.
Rookie Receivers Save Tampa Bay Buccaneers’s Season
Jason Licht’s draft strategy rescued the Buccaneers from potential disaster. The general manager took Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 overall and Oregon’s Tez Johnson in the seventh round. Both picks now look brilliant.
Egbuka leads Tampa Bay with 34 catches for 562 yards and five touchdowns. He’s emerged as the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year while replacing Godwin’s production. The rookie performs like a veteran despite facing top coverage every week.
Johnson weighs just 165 pounds, the lightest player in NFL history, yet he delivers real impact. He has 15 catches for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns.
14 of those catches and both scores came across the last 4 games, along with 205 yards. That surge shows he is not just surviving; he is thriving.
Tampa Bay needed those rookies badly. All three of last year’s starting receivers remain sidelined with uncertain return dates. Godwin, Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) created a massive hole that rookies somehow filled.
The Buccaneers sit 6-2 atop the NFC South despite the injuries to their receivers. They host 6-2 New England in Week 10 with legitimate playoff hopes. Licht’s draft wizardry saved a season that could’ve collapsed without receiver depth.
Godwin earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2019. He topped one thousand yards four times from 2019 to 2023, including three straight seasons.
That type of production convinced Tampa Bay to commit real resources and treat him as a core piece. Now everything depends on one thing. He must return healthy.