Chris Godwin’s Injury Status For Fantasy Football

News broke this week that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin is still on the mend. Godwin is still working his way back from a severe broken ankle he suffered in Week 7 of last season. According to a report from Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud, Godwin has not been cleared by doctors. That means Godwin will not be available for any team activities at training camp. Godwin has already been added to the team’s PUP list.

Reports have surfaced that Godwin will require a second surgery on his injured ankle this offseason. This adds another wrinkle to the mix. There’s still hope that Godwin can be ready by Week 1. His injury presents an interesting issue for fantasy managers as we move closer to fantasy draft season.

Fantasy managers are looking to get the same Chris Godwin that started red-hot last season. Despite playing just seven games in 2024, Godwin averaged nearly 20 fantasy points per game. His five touchdown receptions matched his output from 2022 and 2023 combined. Godwin was on pace for a 12-touchdown season at the rate he was going. He also averaged 82 yards per game. That would have pushed him into the top 10 in receiving yards among wide receivers with nearly 1,400 yards.

Godwin’s Fantasy Outlook

According to Fantasydata.com, Godwin’s ADP sits at the WR31. That puts him in company with other receivers like Cowboys’ George Pickens and Titans’ Calvin Ridley. A player who has been a solid WR2 valued as a WR3 is valuable. But the injury reports on Godwin need to improve. Especially when you consider the amount of targets he gets despite being the number two option.

Last season, Godwin averaged 8.9 targets per game. Over a 17-game season, that comes out to about 150 targets. That would have ranked Godwin sixth among wide receivers in targets. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield trusts Chris Godwin. This trust goes a long way when you are looking for viable fantasy options during your draft.

The worst-case scenario

If Godwin’s injury and recovery last into the regular season, or even threaten to, fantasy managers will need a pivot. Fellow wide receiver Jalen McMillan could be an answer. McMillan was better than expected when he stepped up in Godwin’s absence. McMillan came alive during the fantasy playoffs, posting four double-digit fantasy point games from Weeks 14-17. He averaged 20 fantasy points per game and was the WR12 with 242 yards and three touchdowns. An expanded role with Godwin missing time would make McMillan the ideal option until Godwin returns.

Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is another option. Egbuka is the Bucs’ first-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft and has been as advertised in camp. While many have hailed Egbuka as Godwin’s eventual replacement, should he miss time, Egbuka could be thrown into the mix. Egbuka has been turning heads during the Bucs’ early offseason program and has gotten great reviews from coaches. Another positive for Egbuka is how dangerous he is out of the slot. At 6’1″, 205 lbs, Egbuka

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