Bucs Offer Good News Godwin Injury Update

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense last season was one of the best in football, with Baker Mayfield guiding the group with aplomb.

Averaging 29.5 points per game, Tampa Bay was rolling, and that was without Chris Godwin after seven games due to a nasty ankle injury that ended his season.

The Buccaneers took receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the NFL Draft, much to everyone's surprise, but there was a thought that the Ohio State stud was selected with Godwin's recovery in mind.

However, general manager Jason Licht poured cold water on that thought and gave a positive update on where Godwin is in his rehab.

"It's all about the weapons, and it's all about best player available there," Licht said on the Pat McAfee Show. "Chris is on target, where we thought he would be. We signed him for three years, one year is a long-term deal in the NFL, but three years, we're excited to have him. This gives us some comfort that we make sure he's rehabbing at a steady rate, we're not rushing this. We're expecting him Week 1, but now we're not worried trying to rush it too quickly because we've got another receiver who can step in."

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) celebrates a first down against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

So it is all about good news … and then weapons for Mayfield.

With Godwin, Mike Evans, Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Cade Otton, not to mention the pass-catching ability of Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, that is a lot of mouths to feed in 2025.

But with the Egbuka pick, Tampa Bay now doesn't have to force Godwin back early from his injury, with the rookie able to step in and be productive this offseason.

There's no denying how important Godwin is to the Buccaneers' offense, and the last thing the franchise wants is for their Pro Bowl receiver to break down.

But with Egbuka, Chris's comeback from injury is slow and steady, and he looks to be part of an explosive offense in 2025.