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Gambling on injured players in fantasy drafts can give managers a talented player at a discount. One player that enters 2025 injured is Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver Chris Godwin. When is Chris Godwin coming back? Is he draftable in fantasy? Dan Fornek explores what to do with Godwin in 2025.
Chris Godwin was well on his way to being one of the best players in fantasy football in 2024. Through six games, Godwin was averaging 8.9 targets, 7.1 receptions, 82.3 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He was tied with Ja'Marr Chase as the WR5 in PPR points per game (19.7).
Unfortunately, Godwin dislocated his ankle on the last play of Tampa Bay’s Week 7 contest, ending his season early. It was the worst-case scenario for a player set to be a free agent this offseason. Ultimately, Godwin re-signed with the Buccaneers on a three-year, $66 million contract despite having higher offers.
Godwin was fantastic in fantasy football in 2024, but can he repeat that production in 2025, coming back from his injury? Read below to find out.
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Chris Godwin Injury Update for Fantasy Football
There hasn’t been much positive news for Godwin this offseason aside from securing a lucrative new contract. First, the Buccaneers surprisingly drafted Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the NFL Draft. The rookie was arguably the most pro-ready prospect in the class after setting the Ohio State receiving record, and is also a player who thrives in the slot.
Then, Godwin wasn’t ready to take part in OTAs or training camp after news emerged that the receiver had a second procedure on his ankle in the spring to clean up his ankle. Reports indicate the procedure was expected, but it once again brought his health into question. As time has gone on, we have also gotten confirmation that Godwin’s injury included a fractured fibula and torn ligaments.
We didn’t find out until late July that Chris Godwin had a second procedure.
Today we find out that not only did his ankle dislocate, but he fractured his fibula, tore the deltoid ligament, and essentially had a tightrope procedure for high ankle/fib.
Full year makes sense now. https://t.co/DO3WSpszo2
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 21, 2025
Godwin has not practiced at all this summer and, according to beat reporters, hasn’t been seen running on the practice field yet.
The Buccaneers activated Godwin off the PUP list at the end of camp, but they have stated that they do not expect him to see the field until October. Getting Godwin off the PUP list is simply a formality that will allow him to practice with the team when he is ready to.
On one hand, it is positive that Godwin is close enough to running that the team is comfortable taking him off the PUP list. On the other hand, we know that there will be at least a month of NFL action without Godwin seeing the field.
Chris Godwin Fantasy Football Outlook
If everything goes according to plan, the absolute soonest we will see Chris Godwin is Week 5’s game against the Seahawks. Considering the receiver hasn’t even started running or taking part in drills, that seems like a stretch.
Tampa Bay still has plenty of weapons in the passing attack with Mike Evans and Egbuka headlining the group. If the team is having success, they can afford to be extra cautious to make sure that Godwin is hitting the field when he is ready to go.
We have seen players suffer similar injuries in recent seasons (the most recent example is running back Tony Pollard) and struggle to return to their previous form within the first year. That outcome is very much on the table for Godwin, especially since we already know he has had a second procedure to clean up the ankle this spring.
It seems very unlikely that Godwin will have an impactful 2025 season, but there is a chance that he can work his way back into form in the final weeks of the season, which would coincide with the fantasy playoffs. Fantasy leagues that have IR slots are far more appealing for Godwin since he can be stashed there without taking up a bench spot.
It feels like a long shot to expect consistently usable fantasy weeks from the receiver as he works his way back.
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