The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ injury list keeps getting longer, and this latest name came as a bit of a surprise.
With the Bucs still searching for their first win of the season against the Green Bay Packers, veteran Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin showed up on the injury report with an ankle issue. He was listed as a DNP.
Something to watch - Chris Godwin is a DNP with an ankle injury on our injury report: pic.twitter.com/A4QLxMOQNV
That’s not the kind of update Tampa Bay needed right now. Baker Mayfield is already out for several weeks with a thumb injury, first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. has been limited by a groin injury, and Jalen McMillan is expected to miss significant time because of a knee injury. Josiah Trotter is among the others dealing with issues as well.
Godwin’s appearance on the report wasn’t expected, especially since he didn’t seem to suffer anything obvious in the loss to the Vikings. For now, it looks like something the team may simply want to keep a close eye on.
Production-wise, Godwin has been one of Tampa Bay’s key pieces. He’s second on the team in catches with 10 and receiving yards with 111, both behind Emeka Egbuka. He’s also tied for third on the club with one touchdown.
Even so, his usage has been somewhat restrained. Godwin has not seen more than four targets in any game, and while his veteran reliability matters, the impact of missing him may not be as massive as it first sounds.
The most likely outcome is that this is precautionary, with Godwin potentially limited in practice as the week goes on before Sunday’s game.
And even if he’s ready to go, Tampa Bay should still expect Egbuka, Hurst and Johnson to keep getting plenty of work as the Bucs try to attack Green Bay’s secondary.
In Other News...
Gronk Just Turned Up Pressure On The Buccaneers Biggest Decision
Rob Gronkowskis latest comments landed at a rough moment for Tampa Bay, with the Buccaneers staring at an 0-3 start and already dealing with the kind of early-season instability that can force hard conversations. Gronk pointed to the absence of Mike Evans and Lavonte David as part of the reason the team has struggled, and he framed the situation as one that may demand more than just a quick fix. The pressure is only sharper because the Bucs have had to turn to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniel at quarterback while Baker Mayfield nurses an injury.
For an organization that has spent recent years trying to stay in the contender conversation, the next step is no longer just about getting healthy. It is about whether the current structure can steady itself soon enough to prevent a bad start from becoming something far more serious. Gronkowski openly raised the possibility of change on the coaching side, putting Todd Bowles squarely in the middle of a discussion Tampa Bay would prefer to avoid this early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Suddenly Face A Week 4 Concern They Cant Ignore
The Buccaneers are heading into Week 4 with an injury report that already looks like a storyline in itself, and it comes at a time when the margin for error is getting thin. Tampa Bay has several important offensive and defensive pieces either missing or limited in practice, creating some unease around a roster that has been trying to stay steady through the first month.
Chris Godwin Jr. was among the notable absences because of an ankle injury, while Rueben Bain Jr. is still working back from groin and shoulder issues. The bigger concern for Tampa Bay may be the quarterback situation, with the team hoping Baker Mayfield can return soon without needing a trip to injured reserve, a decision point that could shape how the Buccaneers navigate the next stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Get Timely Boost As Two Key Starters Near Return
The Buccaneers are trying to stop an early slide at 0-3, and the timing of some good injury news could not be better with Green Bay coming to town in Week 4. Edge rusher Yaya Diaby and wide receiver Chris Godwin both returned to practice Thursday after sitting out earlier sessions, giving Tampa Bay a much-needed boost as it works through a shaky opening to the season.
Todd Bowles said Diaby is expected to play, while Godwins status has also improved as the week has gone on. For a team looking to steady itself fast, getting two key starters back in the mix would go a long way, even if the final call on Godwin still leaves a little room for uncertainty heading into the matchup. [Read more 🡒]