The Bucs had injury added to insult on Monday Night Football when Tampa Bay lost at home to Baltimore back in Week 7. Not only did the Ravens trounce the Bucs, 41-31, but wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin suffered leg injuries in the loss.

Evans re-aggravated his hamstring in the second quarter, and that caused him to miss the next three games. But the injury Godwin suffered, a dislocated ankle, was far worse. Catching a pass with less than a minute left, Godwin was tackled by Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith, whose body weight landed on the receiver’s ankle. The Bucs immediately called for the cart and Godwin’s season was over in an instant.

Or was it?

The next day at his press conference, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles offered some optimism, suggesting that Godwin may be able to return if the Bucs make the postseason and go deep into the playoffs.

“He’ll probably be out for the year,” Bowles said. “There’s a chance, if we make a late playoff run, that he could be back but he’s undergoing surgery and he’s going to be out.”

The team put Godwin on injured reserve, and typically players on I.R. are not allowed to speak to the media at the team facility as a general rule. But Godwin was spotted at a charity event hosted by the Yob Family Foundation in the Tampa Bay area and was interviewed by ABC Action News’ Kyle Burger, who asked about his recovery.

Godwin spent a few moments discussing his recovery and was asked if he could return for the playoffs.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

“Man, recovery is going great,” Godwin said. “It’s a slow grind for sure, but like anything else, it just takes a lot of work. And that’s what I’m focused on – just putting in the work and trying to help and trying to get back to my teammates as quick as possible.”

When Godwin was placed on the cart at the end of the Ravens game, TV cameras caught him saying to the Bucs trainer who was on the cart with him: “Back to work.”

Putting in the work during an injury rehab scenario is nothing new for the second-best receiver in Tampa Bay history.

Godwin spent the entire 2022 offseason recovering and rehabbing a torn ACL that happened in early December against the Saints during the 2021 season, and diligently attacked his recovery like a champion. The Bucs re-signed Godwin to a three-year, $60 million deal during the 2022 offseason despite his injury, and he wound up playing the entire year, catching 104 passes for 1,023 yards and three touchdowns.

When asked if he had an injury update on Godwin’s status on October 31, Bowles said: “Not at this time. He got surgery. He showed up at the game Sunday and got treatment. He’s doing as well as he can be. Knowing Chris and his mind, he’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Could Chris Godwin Return For A Bucs Playoff Run?

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs receiver Chris Godwin, who is slated to become a free agent in the 2025 offseason, was seen at the charity event this week still using a crutch to support his weight to help his surgically-repaired left ankle. That’s not necessarily a great sign that he could return for a postseason run, given that it’s already December 17 and there are three weeks left in the regular season.

Here’s what Godwin said when asked if he thought he might be able to make it back this season for the playoffs.

“It’s still too soon to really know for sure,” Godwin said. “But me as an optimist, that’s what I always aim for (returning as soon as possible). I hope to be back as soon as I can. And if I’m able to do that (return for the playoffs) then I’ll be over the moon. If not, I’m sure my guys will be able to take care of it and handle business.”

The Wild Card round of the playoffs will be held January 11-13 with the Divisional round on January 18-19 and the NFC Championship Game on January 26. Super Bowl LIX will held in New Orleans on February 9. Godwin returning by the Wild Card round seems far-fetched at this point. But perhaps the NFC Championship Game?

Well, it’s happened before with the Bucs.

Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea broke his ankle in Chicago on October 8 in Week 5 of the 2020 season and was placed on injured reserve. But he worked diligently in the rehab process and was able to return to play in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LV.

Godwin’s 2024 season was off to a great start as he was the leading receiver in Liam Coen’s new offense. Through the first seven games of the 2024 season, Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns, which was his highest number of scores he’s had since the 2021 season. Godwin was on pace to record 121 receptions for 1,398 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns prior to his injury.