Chris Godwin injury update: NFL insider reveals latest on Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR's return after change in status

Chris Godwin still isn’t expected to be back playing for at least another month or so after recovering since last season from a dislocated ankle that he suffered on October 21st. However, Tampa Bay is reportedly taking a step toward Godwin’s return.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Buccaneers will be activating Godwin from the PUP list. That said, Tampa Bay is only doing so in order for him to begin practicing, as it is still not anticipating him fully back until his rehab reaches almost a year come this October.

“Sources: Buccaneers plan to activate WR Chris Godwin off the Physically Unable to Perform list and have him on their 53-man roster to start the season, but only to begin his ramp-up process for games, not to immediately play in them,” Schefter wrote on Twitter/X. “Godwin still is unlikely to play until October as he continues recovering from the fractured ankle he suffered in Week 7 vs. the Ravens last season.

“He is expected to start practicing in Week 2, but the team thinks he is right where he should be at this time and is pleased with his recovery.”

Godwin dislocated that ankle in week seven last year following a hip-drop tackle on him by Roquan Smith, during an eventual 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. That would end his season, with Godwin having two surgeries on the ankle, one following the dislocation and one reported again this spring as a follow-up. He also did not participate in practices back in the spring or this summer.

One thing that did go well for him this offseason, though, is that he got paid. Back in March, Godwin signed a three-year, $66 million deal to remain with Tampa Bay, being one of the top options on the free agent market at wide receiver this offseason, even after that injury.

Playing in just seven games last season, Godwin had his fewest stats since his rookie year with just 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. That’s after posting a 17-game average, over his eight seasons in total with Tampa Bay, of 89 catches for 1,113 yards and six touchdowns. That’s made him one of their two leading receivers in his six healthy seasons prior alongside Mike Evans, who has produced as a duo for three varying quarterbacks now in Jameis Winston, Tom Brady, and, most recently, Baker Mayfield.

Schefter is still projecting it to be about six to nine weeks before Godwin is officially able to return to the field for this season. Still, this is a big step as Tampa Bay designates Godwin’s recovery to get closer to that point.