1 of 5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7 of the 2024 NFL campaign. File Photo by Steve Nesius/UPI | License Photo
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin off the physically unable to perform list, coach Todd Bowles told reporters Thursday.
Godwin, who is recovering from an ankle injury that occurred last season, could return before Week 5 because of the move, as players who start the season on the list are ineligible for the first four games.
“He’s taken off the PUP list,” Bowles said. “But he’s got to get in football shape and everything else, so I wouldn’t expect him to play early on.”
Bowles said that star left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is dealing with a knee issue, also will start the season on the Buccaneers’ active roster.
Godwin signed a three-year, $66 million contract with the Buccaneers this off-season. He was listed as a starter alongside Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan on the initial unofficial depth chart.
McMillan, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, hurt his neck during the Buccaneers’ preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday in Pittsburgh. He is expected to miss significant playing time.
Emeka Egbuka, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Trey Palmer, Tez Johnson, Rakim Jarrett, Sterling Shepard, Dennis Houston, Jacob Harris, Garrett Green, Jaden Smith, Kameron Johnson and Ryan Miller are among the Buccaneers’ other wide receivers.
McMillan accounted for 37 catches for 461 yards and eight scores over 13 appearances for the Buccaneers last season. Godwin totaled 50 catches for 576 yards and five scores over seven starts in 2024.
The Buccaneers will host the Buffalo Bills in their preseason finale at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday in Tampa, Fla. They will play the Atlanta Falcons in their season opener Sept. 7 in Atlanta.
