After missing seven games with a hairline fibula fracture, Chris Godwin is officially back — and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are counting on him to ignite their fading playoff hopes. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver will take the field Sunday night, November 23, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams, the team confirmed in its final inactives list released just hours before kickoff. This isn’t just a return; it’s a lifeline for a struggling offense that’s lost three of its last four games since Godwin went down.
From Sideline to Spotlight
Godwin’s journey back has been anything but smooth. He began the 2025 season still recovering from a devastating dislocated ankle suffered in Week 7 of 2024 against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. He made his season debut in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field — only to fracture his fibula on his second catch of the game. That was October 5, 2025. He hasn’t played since.
Here’s the thing: Godwin wasn’t just a target. He was the safety valve. The guy defenses couldn’t ignore. Without him, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense turned into a one-dimensional mess. Rookie Emeka Egbuka got doubled on every snap. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had nowhere to go. And the run game? It stalled without Godwin’s elite blocking — something analysts at The Pewter Plank highlighted repeatedly: "He’s not just a receiver. He’s a blocker who creates lanes. That matters more than stats."
Who’s Been Holding the Line?
While Godwin healed, the Buccaneers’ receiving corps became a patchwork quilt of journeymen and undrafted free agents. Sterling Shepard, a former Giants staple, was brought in on a one-year deal after being released by New York. Tez Johnson, a late-round pick with lightning speed but inconsistent hands, got his first real NFL snaps. And Emeka Egbuka, the 2025 third-round pick from Ohio State, was thrown into the deep end — and sometimes drowned.
Defenses sensed weakness. They blitzed Mayfield relentlessly. They shaded coverage toward Egbuka. They dared the Bucs to throw to Mike Evans — who’s been battling a hamstring issue since Week 8 — and Jalen McMillan, who’s been limited by a turf toe. The result? Tampa Bay averaged just 18.3 points per game during Godwin’s absence. In the four games before his injury? They scored 27.5.
The Ripple Effect
Godwin’s return doesn’t just help the passing game — it helps everything. His ability to run precise routes and win contested catches forces safeties to respect him. That opens up the middle for Rachaad White, who’s been running behind a line that’s been battered by injuries to Ben Bredeson and Bucky Irving. When Godwin blocks on screen passes or zone runs, he’s not just a blocker — he’s a mismatch creator.
"He’s the glue," said one anonymous offensive assistant, speaking off the record. "When he’s out, we’re playing chess with one less piece. When he’s in? We’ve got a full board."
What’s at Stake?
The Buccaneers sit at 5-6 heading into Week 12. They’re one game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South and two behind the Carolina Panthers in the wild-card race. A loss to the Rams — who are 7-4 and coming off a statement win over the San Francisco 49ers — could drop them to 5-7 and effectively end their playoff hopes.
But a win? That changes everything. Suddenly, they’re a game back with a full-strength offense. Suddenly, Mayfield has a trusted weapon who knows how to win in the red zone. Suddenly, the defense doesn’t have to carry the team every week.
The Bigger Picture
Godwin’s return also carries symbolic weight. He’s a player who signed a $60 million extension in March 2023, a deal that looked like a bargain at the time. But injuries have turned it into a question mark. If he comes back and dominates Sunday, it validates the investment. If he’s rusty or limited, it raises alarms for next offseason.
And let’s not forget: this is the final season of head coach Todd Bowles’s contract. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization, led by owner Joel Glazer and president Jason Licht, is watching closely. A playoff push could buy them time. A collapse? It could trigger a full rebuild.
What’s Next?
Godwin’s status for Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals remains uncertain. He’s been cleared to play, but the team has said he’ll be on a "snap count" — likely 50-60% of offensive plays. That means he’ll be used strategically: on third downs, in the red zone, and as a decoy to free up others.
But Sunday night? That’s his night. The spotlight. The national audience. The chance to remind everyone why he’s one of the most complete receivers in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Chris Godwin’s absence impacted the Buccaneers’ offense statistically?
Without Godwin, the Buccaneers’ average offensive yards per game dropped from 382 to 317, and their third-down conversion rate fell from 44% to 31%. Their red zone efficiency plummeted from 68% to 49%, and Baker Mayfield’s passer rating dropped from 101.3 to 84.1. Godwin accounted for 22% of the team’s receiving yards before his injury — a number no other receiver has come close to replacing.
Why is Godwin’s blocking so important to Tampa Bay’s run game?
Godwin is one of the few wide receivers in the NFL who consistently engages defensive backs at the line of scrimmage on outside runs and screens. His physicality helps clear lanes for Rachaad White, especially on edge plays. In games where Godwin played, White averaged 4.9 yards per carry; in games without him, that dropped to 3.6. His blocking isn’t flashy — but it’s essential.
What does Godwin’s return mean for rookie Emeka Egbuka?
Egbuka will likely see fewer double teams and more single coverage. Defenses can no longer afford to key on him with Godwin back. That should open up more deep shots and intermediate routes for the rookie, who’s shown flashes of elite route-running but has been overwhelmed by coverage schemes designed to shut him down. Expect his targets to rise from 5-6 per game to 8-9.
Is there a risk Godwin re-injures his fibula?
The medical staff says the fracture has fully healed, and he’s been cleared for full contact. But fibula injuries can linger in high-impact sports. The Buccaneers are limiting his snaps to 50-60% for now and monitoring him closely. He’ll wear a custom brace, and his workload will be adjusted based on how he feels after each series. The team won’t risk a setback — not with playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
How does this affect the Buccaneers’ playoff chances?
A win over the Rams improves their record to 6-6 and keeps them within one game of a wild-card spot. With the NFC South still winnable and the schedule softening after Week 12 (next up: Cardinals, Jaguars, Saints), Godwin’s return turns Tampa Bay from a long shot into a legitimate contender. Their odds of making the postseason jumped from 18% to 42% in the latest ESPN Football Power Index update after his return was confirmed.
What’s the history between the Buccaneers and Rams in prime-time matchups?
The two teams have met in prime time just five times since 2000, with the Rams winning four of those games — including a 34-28 thriller in 2021 during the Rams’ Super Bowl run. The Buccaneers’ only prime-time win came in 2018, when Jameis Winston threw for four touchdowns. Sunday night will be their first prime-time home game since 2022, and the first with a playoff implication since 2020 — when Tom Brady led them to a 31-23 win over the Rams in Week 15.