The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to regroup after their Week 9 bye, aiming to improve their health following a challenging stretch filled with injuries. A key player in this situation is wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has been out since Week 5 due to a fibula injury. Fantasy football managers are eagerly awaiting news on whether Godwin will be available as the season progresses.
Godwin had previously missed the first three weeks of the season while recovering from an ankle fracture sustained late in the previous campaign. He made his return in Week 4 and showcased a significant role with an 80% snap count, indicating he was back to full strength. In Week 5, he maintained a similar workload before suffering a new injury, reported as a fibula issue. Since then, Godwin has not participated in practices or games, missing four consecutive weeks leading up to the bye.
Head coach Todd Bowles has stated that the injury is not season-ending, which raises some hope for the future, though it does not provide clarity on when Godwin might return. Coming out of the bye, Tampa Bay is optimistic about reintegrating several injured players, and the additional week off could aid Godwin”s recovery. However, the lack of updates makes his status for Week 10 quite uncertain.
The first practice session following the bye is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, coinciding with Bowles” media address, which is unusual for him as he typically speaks on Mondays. This change means fantasy managers will have to wait until Wednesday for any official information regarding Godwin”s condition. Currently, it is safe to assume that he may not participate this week. The absence of positive updates from Bowles after the bye indicates that Godwin”s situation is still week-to-week.
If Godwin does not practice on Wednesday, it will likely confirm that he will not play in Week 10. Therefore, the practice report from Wednesday is crucial for fantasy managers crafting their lineups. Limited participation would suggest that Godwin is nearing a return, while another absence would indicate he requires more time to recover fully.
In Godwin”s absence, the Buccaneers have struggled offensively, with several key players like Mike Evans and Bucky Irving also missing time. This has forced Tampa Bay to lean on depth players and role players. Rookie Tez Johnson and veteran Sterling Shepard have stepped into larger roles, but neither can truly replicate Godwin”s impact when he is healthy.
As it stands, rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka has emerged as the primary receiving option in the Buccaneers” offense and will continue to receive significant targets for as long as the injury issues persist. Egbuka has recovered from a minor hamstring strain and should be fully fit to take on a larger workload. Additionally, quarterback Baker Mayfield will likely continue to utilize tight end Cade Otton as a reliable target while Godwin is sidelined.
Once Godwin is back on the field, he is expected to reclaim a vital role in Tampa Bay”s offense. Before his injury, he was showing signs of returning to form as one of the team”s primary receiving threats. His established rapport with Mayfield and ability to operate effectively at all levels of the field make him an irreplaceable asset in the Buccaneers” passing game.
Fantasy managers holding onto Godwin should remain patient and keep a close eye on Wednesday”s practice report. If he can practice at all, it would be a positive sign for a potential return. Conversely, another day without participation would suggest exploring alternative options for at least one more week.
