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Will Chris Godwin start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he returns? Aidin Ebrahimi breaks down the Chris Godwin return timeline and fantasy football outlook.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are having a great season, as this marks just the fifth time in their history that they have started the season 6-2. Their hot start to the season becomes even more impressive when you factor in all the injuries they've had to deal with.
Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Jalen McMillan, and Chris Godwin are all hurt right now, which has caused QB Baker Mayfield to rely on rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka. Last week, we talked about Irving's status, and now, we'll look at Godwin's fantasy outlook.
Will Godwin be the Buccaneers' starting wide receiver when he returns? Let's dive in.
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Will Chris Godwin Start For The Buccaneers When He Returns?
Godwin got off to a blazing start in the 2024 season, catching 43 passes for 511 yards and five touchdowns in his first six games. His 124.3 PPR points ranked him as the overall WR1 during that stretch, but a devastating ankle injury in Week 7 ended his season.
Chris Godwin Might Not Return Until Late November, Early Decemberhttps://t.co/cMu0D1TlEb
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 7, 2025
Despite his injury, several teams were interested in signing Godwin in the offseason, including one who, according to Buccaneers GM Jason Licht, "kept writing him blank checks." However, Godwin chose to stay loyal and left around $20 million on the table to re-sign with Tampa Bay.
He returned to the field in Week 4 against the Eagles, but has not played in the Bucs' last three games due to a fibula injury, which was initially reported to have been in a different area than his fractured ankle last year.
In his absence, the Bucs have relied on young wideouts to carry their passing game. Rookie duo Egbuka and Tez Johnson have done a great job, while sophomore Kameron Johnson and third-year wideout Ryan Miller have also gotten some opportunities.
32-year-old Sterling Shepard is the only veteran presence in the Bucs' WR room, but it's clear none of these players (with the exception of Egbuka) are on the same level as Godwin and Evans.
Mayfield has averaged just 212.0 passing yards per game over his last three games, compared to 256.6 yards per game in his first five games, when he had either Evans or Godwin starting alongside Egbuka. It's clear that Godwin is still a starting receiver for the Buccaneers.
Chris Godwin Fantasy Football Outlook
Godwin's injury has been a very complicated issue, which has frustrated Buccaneers fans and his fantasy managers. Godwin underwent two surgeries for his ankle injury last year, with the second one being a "clean-up" procedure.
This caused concern for many fans, but everyone thought he'd be okay after he returned to the field in Week 4.
Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Godwin's current injury is a re-aggravation of his fibula, which goes against the Bucs' previous reports of his fibula injury being unrelated to his dislocated ankle.
"They just don't want to press it with him," said Fowler. "They're thinking late-November, December with Chris Godwin. They'll take it week-to-week with him."
This is a huge blow for Godwin, but the good news is that the Bucs' receiving room has the chance to be completely healthy for the first time this year near the end of the season.
The earliest return time for Evans is Week 15, while the team is still hoping for McMillan's return before the playoffs.
It seems like Week 12 could be a realistic point to hope for Godwin's return. Godwin can provide great fantasy value alongside Egbuka until Evans' return, and has the potential to be a league-winning pick if you're able to pick him up for the fantasy playoffs.
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Popular Week 10 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 10 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kyle Monangai, Quentin Johnston, Parker Washington, Rachaad White compared to others:
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