The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in the playoffs for the fifth straight season, but this year they are missing a key part of their offense.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will be without wide receiver Chris Godwin, one of his top targets, for the team’s wild-card game against the Washington Commanders Sunday night.
Godwin dislocated his ankle against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7 and has been out ever since.
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What happened to Chris Godwin?
Down 41-31 with just over a minute left in a Week 7 matchup with the Ravens, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles left his starters in the game, hoping that Tampa Bay could score quickly and recover an onside kick. This proved to be a costly decision as Godwin went down with a significant leg injury.
Godwin was carted off and after X-rays, it was determined the wide receiver had dislocated his ankle, ending his season. Bowles was publicly criticized by the media for his decision to play the team’s starters down 10 with so little time, but the coach defended his decision saying, “He’s a player. We’re trying to win the ball game. We were still down 10. We’re trying to get extra points and kick another onside kick. [The injury] just happened.”
Bowles did not appreciate the media questioning his decision to keep Godwin in the game.
“You can say that because he got hurt. We don’t second-guess,” Bowles said. “We’ve got our guys. We’re playing everybody we’ve got. It’s unfortunate he got hurt, but he’s a football player and he wants to be in the game, just like Baker [Mayfield] and everybody else wanted to be in the game.”
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When will Chris Godwin be back?
According to Greg Auman of Fox Sports, Todd Bowles recently confirmed Godwin won’t be back in time for the playoffs, even if Tampa Bay makes a deep postseason run.
Before his season-ending ankle injury, Godwin was on pace for the best season of his NFL career, catching 50 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns through seven games.
Godwin may have played his last game as a Buccaneer. He is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and, despite the injury, is regarded as one of the top targets that will hit the open market. Pro Football Focus ranked him at No. 4 of 50 in their 2025 free agent list.
The veteran wideout will be in high demand as many teams with cap space are in need of a strong pass catcher. The Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers are among possible suitors.
The recent emergence of 2024 third-round pick Jalen McMillan might make Tampa Bay hesitant to pay Godwin what other teams could offer him on the open market.
The Buccaneers clash with the Washington Commanders in the wild card round on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
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