To say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been banged up this season would be an understatement. Injuries have hit hard, especially on offense along the line and at wide receiver. However, that injury luck is set to change as the Buccaneers are set to get one of their top playmakers on offense.
Already without right guard Ben Bredeson and running back Bucky Irving, the Bucs are still without receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan as well. However, Chris Godwin returned to practice last week and ramped up this week with hopes of playing on Sunday.
The Bucs have been running their offense without wide receiver Godwin since their Week 5 game against the Seattle Seahawks. In his second game after he made his return, Godwin injured his fibula and hasn't played for the Bucs since. That will change on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
#Bucs WR Chris Godwin, who has been out since Oct. 5 with a hairline fracture in his fibula, is expected to return to the field on Sunday night, source said. He is listed as questionable.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 23, 2025
The Bucs desperately need Godwin back in the lineup as defenses have been doubling up star rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and have transitioned to playing more man coverage to take away Baker Mayfield's weapons. With the veteran wide receiver back in the fold, the field should open up more in the passing game, and Godwin's blocking will give the run game a boost as well. Sterling Shepard and the rookies, Tez Johnson and Egbuka, have had success in his absence, but adding the veteran presence to the receiving room adds a different dimension.
The Bucs have been mum on the official injury Godwin sustained, but Rapoport reported the Pro Bowl wideout actually sustained a hairline fracture of his fibula. The hope is that Godwin can return to his pre-injury form of last season, where he was a focal point of the offense. If he can, the offense will gain a valuable playmaker that Mayfield trusts and can help them on third down. It will allow offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard to open up the playbook and be more creative in his calls. And it makes the offense that much more dangerous to prepare for as they await the return of Irving, Bredeson, Evans, and McMillan.