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When will Chris Godwin Jr. return and play? Will Chris Godwin Jr. be back again this season? Read the latest Chris Godwin Jr. injury updates and return date for Week 7 (2025).
The Buccanneers are missing multiple wide receivers coming into their Monday Night Football matchup in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions. Chris Godwin Jr. is returning this season after a gruesome lower leg injury last year, and he made it back on the field for a couple of games before a new injury forced him back to the sideline.
Godwin missed the first three games of the season, played two, and then had to sit out again in Week 6.
When will Chris Godwin Jr. return to action, and what is his fantasy football outlook when he does? Let's dive in.
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Chris Godwin Jr. Injury Update
Godwin battled back from a dislocated ankle that included a fractured fibula suffered in Week 7 of last season. The injury required multiple surgeries and an extensive recovery.
He was able to get back on the field in under a full calendar year, playing 81% of snaps in Week 4 and 77% of snaps in Week 5. He totaled six catches for 52 yards, and didn't look fully up to speed. He was also dealing with some soreness in his ankle area during his Week 5 game in Seattle.
He missed practice and ultimately sat out Week 6 with "fibula soreness." However, according to reports, the injury is to a different part of his leg than the original fracture last season.
Coach Todd Bowles didn't leave much uncertainty about Godwin's availability for Week 7, saying he was "not in play."
Bucs HC Todd Bowles told reporters that RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) and Chris Godwin (fibula) are “not in play” for next Monday night’s game against the Detroit Lions.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 13, 2025
Even though he is "week-to-week" at this point, the injury isn't expected to be a long-term issue. He hasn't been placed on IR and isn't expected to be sidelined for that long. The Buccaneers are on bye in Week 9, so an injured reserve placement would render him ineligible to return until Week 11
Bucs receiver Chris Godwin has been ruled out for next Monday’s game against the Lions, but is considered week to week. Not season-ending, not on IR, just a new injury to same fibula he had surgery on last year.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 13, 2025
While it's still just speculation at this point, it makes sense that Godwin could target a return right after the bye week and get back on the field in Week 10 when the Bucs host the Patriots. We don't have a lot of details at this point about the exact nature of the injury, so it's hard to know the severity.
Chris Godwin Jr. Fantasy Football Outlook
Godwin was on his way to an outstanding season last year before his gruesome ankle injury, averaging 7.1 receptions for 82 yards in his seven games. He was a strong WR2 and looked ready to return great value on his draft position.
However, in his two games this year, he had exactly three catches for 26 yards in each of his two games, while drawing a total of 14 targets. With Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) emerging as an outstanding rookie contributor and Mike Evans (hamstring) also expected to return before Godwin, there could be limited targets if everyone is healthy in the Bucs' offense.
With the injury and so many options when everyone is healthy, Godwin's outlook for the season is a little uncertain. He didn't look back to full speed in the two games he played this season, which is understandable since he missed training camp and preseason while working back from his serious injury.
He still has upside and makes sense to hold if possible, especially since Egbuka and Evans are also dealing with injuries. This week, it'll be Kameron Johnson, Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard, and Cade Otton who may have to carry the pass-catching load against the Lions, although Evans has a chance to return, and Egbuka hasn't been ruled out yet either.
Is Week 7 Time for a Tez Johnson Breakout? https://t.co/7F8piuekKI
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 14, 2025
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Popular Week 7 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 7 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Josh Downs, Marquise Brown, Tre Tucker, Darnell Mooney, Christian Kirk, Luther Burden III, Ryan Flournoy compared to others:
[wr_player_list names="Josh Downs, Marquise Brown, Tre Tucker, Darnell Mooney, Christian Kirk, Luther Burden III, Ryan Flournoy" sport="nfl_start" limit="500" type="ppr" pos="" ]
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