Chris Godwin Activated off PUP But Unlikely to Return Until October

What They're Saying

Adam Schefter of ESPN: “Buccaneers plan to activate WR Chris Godwin off the Physically Unable to Perform list and have him on their 53-man roster to start the season, but only to begin his ramp-up process for games, not to immediately play in them. Godwin still is unlikely to play until October as he continues recovering from the fractured ankle he suffered in Week 7 vs. the Ravens last season. He is expected to start practicing in Week 2, but the team thinks he is right where he should be at this time and is pleased with his recovery.”

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

If Chris Godwin isn’t ready until October, he’ll miss the first four games of the season. The Buccaneers’ Week 5 game falls on October 6.

The team likely removed Godwin from the PUP list so he could practice and begin physical activities with the squad.

With Jalen McMillan’s recent neck injury, the WR depth looks shaky early in the season, even after the first-round addition of Emeka Egbuka.

Tampa Bay won’t rush Godwin back, but he was highly effective before the ankle injury. He averaged 19.7 PPR points per game last season, second only to Ja’Marr Chase. In seven games, Godwin finished as a top-10 PPR WR three times.

Godwin currently sits 49th in our PPR WR rankings with him projected out for the first four weeks. This news doesn’t affect his current standing there.

Other Winners & Losers

Mike Evans should keep his role in the offense, but Emeka Egbuka looks like an early-season candidate to make an impact. With positive camp buzz and both Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan expected to miss the first month, Egbuka steps into the No. 2 WR role.He currently ranks 44th among PPR WRs in our rankings and could climb higher if Godwin’s absence extends.