Chris Godwin Injury Update: When Will WR Return to Buccaneers?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL for nearly a decade. Godwin had an injury-riddled season last year, however, and there is still doubt about when he will don the pads again. Below, we will project when Godwin will return and be back on the field with the Bucs. This injury update will deliver all of the latest information regarding Godwin’s ankle and recovery progress.

🚑 When will Chris Godwin return and be back with Buccaneers?

Godwin has had a rough go of it over the course of the past few months. The veteran WR suffered a dislocated left ankle in Week 7 of last season and had subsequent surgery. There was speculation that Godwin would be ready to go for last season’s playoffs but he was not yet ready.

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said in April of this year that Godwin would be ready to go for Week 1 of this coming season, but now that is in jeopardy. Godwin reportedly had a second, minor surgery on the ankle this past spring and he is now on the preseason PUP list.

A full recovery from dislocated ankle surgery typically takes around 3-6 months. Complicating matters is the “minor” surgery he received this past spring. It is possible that Godwin will have to reset the clock from that second surgery.

The most likely scenario is that the Buccaneers place Godwin on the reserve/PUP during the final cutdown period in a few weeks. This would make Godwin ineligible to play in the first four games of the regular season. 

Here is the Buccaneers’ schedule around the time Godwin is likely to return.

• Week 5 Sunday, October 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
• Week 6 Sunday, October 12: San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 7 Monday, October 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
• Week 8 Sunday, October 26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

⏳ How long will Chris Godwin be out for?

Of note, the Buccaneers’ bye week is Week 9. Tampa Bay could elect to hold Godwin out until after that rest week if there are further complications with this injury.

Godwin initially injured the ankle in a Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 21 of last year. Over a full year of recovery from a dislocated ankle would be a nightmare scenario for Godwin and Godwin fantasy football owners.

Barring any further setbacks, though, it is expected that Godwin will be back by early October 2025.

🏈 Chris Godwin fantasy football draft position

When to pick Godwin in a fantasy football draft is a tricky proposition. You will likely be without the WR for the first month of the season, so if you’re a fantasy owner that prioritizes a quick start to the season it would be best to steer clear of Godwin.

Godwin is typically going around Round 10-12 in a 12-team fantasy draft. He is owned in 87 percent of Yahoo fantasy football leagues. 

💰 Buccaneers betting odds

The Buccaneers are coming off a 10-7 season and are the favorites to win the NFC South in 2025-26. Tampa Bay has +2500 Super Bowl odds.

The best NFL betting sites have the Bucs’ projected win total at 9.5 victories, with juice on the Under. NFL Playoff odds show Todd Bowles’ crew with a -158 price to make the dance. The Bucs are +128 to miss the playoffs.