Buccaneers Receive Concerning Update on Chris Godwin’s Injury Status
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are once again facing an uphill battle on the injury front as they prepare for a pivotal Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has been sidelined since Week 5 with a fibula injury, remains without a clear timetable for return.
Head coach Todd Bowles provided an update earlier this week.
As Pro Football Network noted, Bowles said that while the team hopes to have several key players, including Bucky Irving and Godwin back soon, but there’s “no timetable for their returns.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also reported on SportsCenter that Godwin’s comeback likely won’t come until “late November or December.’
Tampa Bay continues to take an extremely cautious approach given his lengthy injury history.
“They just don’t want to press it with him,” Fowler said. “They’re thinking late November-December with Chris Godwin.”
That timeline suggests Godwin could remain sidelined for at least a few more weeks, which could extend his absence to seven straight games.
“It’s been tough,” one team source told PewterReport.
“He’s one of our tone-setters, a guy who moves the sticks and keeps the offense balanced. You can’t just replace that kind of reliability.”
This news is a blow to both fantasy football managers and a Buccaneers offense that has struggled mightily in recent weeks.
Tampa Bay’s attack ranks 19th in offensive efficiency, reflecting just how much the team has missed some of its biggest playmakers.
Godwin’s Injury Timeline
Godwin’s 2025 season has been defined by setbacks and stalled recovery.
After fracturing his ankle late in the 2024 campaign, he missed the first three games of this season before returning in Week 4.
He immediately reclaimed a major role, playing over 80% of the Buccaneers’ offensive snaps in back-to-back games against the Eagles and Seahawks.
However, his return was short-lived.
During the Week 5 matchup, Godwin suffered a fibula injury that has since sidelined him for over a month.
Bowles later clarified that while the injury wasn’t season-ending, the team wouldn’t risk aggravation.
“We want him right for the long term,” Bowles said. “It’s a tough break for him, but we’re not rushing it.”
If Godwin does not return until late November or early December, that would mean that he would have now missed 16 of his last 18 games since suffering a gruesome dislocated ankle in Week 7 of the 2024 season against the Ravens.
How Godwin’s Return Could Lift Tampa Bay’s Offense
When healthy, Godwin’s versatility and route-running precision make him one of Tampa Bay’s most reliable weapons.
Before the fibula setback, he caught six passes for 52 yards across two games and was on pace to regain his rhythm with Baker Mayfield.
Since his absence, the Bucs’ offense has struggled to maintain consistency.
Mike Evans landed on injured reserve with a broken collarbone, Bucky Irving has missed five straight games, and Emeka Egbuka has been in and out of injury reports.
Rookie Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard have had to shoulder more than they expected.
We’ve got guys stepping up,” Mayfield said recently, “but you can’t really replace a guy like Chris. His presence just changes how defenses play us.”
Egbuka has emerged as the primary receiver, while tight end Cade Otton has taken on a larger role as Mayfield’s safety valve.
Still, the absence of explosive plays has hurt Tampa Bay’s production, as the offense has averaged just 18.3 points per game over its last three games.
If Godwin can return sometime in the near future, his ability to attack all three levels of the field and extend drives could provide the spark this offense desperately needs.
Red Sox-Kyle Schwarber Reunion Rumors Already Heating Up
It's very clear that the Boston Red Sox have a need for a big bat in the middle of the lineup and that they are going to try their best this offseason to fill the hole.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said as much on Monday while speaking to the media. He spoke about a handful of topics, including why it's important for the organization to add a power hitter this offseason.
"I think someone who is a threat who can hit in the middle of the order, can lengthen our lineup, is going to be something we’re going to pursue,” Breslow said. “That is absolutely a path to improving our team."
With the season winding down, speculation started to build about how former Boston slugger Kyle Schwarber fits a need the organization has. He had 56 homers and 132 RBIs in 2025 with the Philadelphia Phillies. Those were both the high-marks of his career to the point so there's no way to know if he can carry that momentum into 2026, but FanSided's Robert Murray reported that he's heard that Boston is interested in bringing the slugger back to town.
The Red Sox should reunite with Kyle Schwarber
"First of all, the Boston Red Sox and Kyle Schwarber," Murray said. "Everyone that I'm talking to here believes that the Red Sox are going to be a big player for Schwarber this offseason. And that is absolutely the team to watch for him. Though, a reunion with the Philadelphia Phillies is very possible."
Murray is reporting from the General Manager Meetings and this isn't the first time he has mentioned Boston as a fit for Schwarber.
The Red Sox have made it very clear that they are looking to add a big bat. Schwarber definitely fits that description. Imagine if the Red Sox somehow could add him to be the team's designated hitter while also re-signing Alex Bregman to play third base? That would be the best-case scenario.
If that were to become reality, the Red Sox's lineup would be set. There have been questions at first base, but Triston Casas has upside still at 25 years old. A lineup featuring Casas at first base, Marcelo Mayer at second base, Trevor Story at shortstop, Bregman at third base, Ceddanne Rafaela in center field, Roman Anthony at a corner outfield spot, either Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu at the other, Carlos Narváez at catcher, and Schwarber as DH would be enough to compete for a title right now.
It's easy to take the rumors and think ahead, but a deal hasn't been signed or anything of that nature. As of right now, this is just an exciting idea that Boston absolutely should be all over, and it sounds like it will be.
