ESPN: Chris Godwin Had An Additional “Procedure” On His Ankle
July 22nd, 2025
Second ankle “procedure.”
Maybe this is another clue to heed for the folks who still can’t figure out why the Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka?
Per Jenna Laine of ESPN, the Bucs’ Pro Bowl receiver, who the team just signed to a new three-year contract this spring, had something else take place this spring that isn’t quite as cool as signing an eight-figure contract. Godwin had a “procedure” on the same ankle that was wrecked against Baltimore last year and for which Godwin had surgery on shortly thereafter.
Multiple sources told ESPN that Godwin underwent another minor ankle procedure on the same ankle this spring to have it “cleaned out” but a source said it wasn’t a surprise and Godwin is “doing well.”
Well, Joe would hope that wasn’t a surprise, especially for Godwin. Imagine the rude awakening!
Sitting across a table on Monday from Bucs coach Todd Bowles when he graciously sat down for Joe and the Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman, for an on-the-record chat, Bowles’ body language sure seemed more positive for Tristan Wirfs’ chances of lining up for Week 1 than Godwin.
Here is what Bowles had to say about Godwin on Monday:
“Chris is in the same situation as Tristan [Wirfs],” Bowles said. “He’s working his way back. He’s working his way back. He had a procedure. He’s feeling well. He’s in good spirits and he’s working his way back. And, you know, when I see more and he does more, I’ll have more news. But right now there’s no update on him. But Chris, hopefully, will be back very soon. And I can’t tell you when, but he’s in good spirits and he’s movin’ around and he’s getting going and he’s ramping up.”
So there you have it.
Of course, both Godwin and Wirfs were placed yesterday on the active/PUP list, which means they can be activated at any time to rejoin the team for training camp practices and/or worthless preseason games before the 53-man rosters are announced on Aug. 30.
If Godwin and/or Wirfs are on the PUP list on Aug. 30, then they must sit out a minimum of the first four regular-season games.
July 22nd, 2025 at 10:31 pm
BUT, he’s in good spirits is very telling IMHO
The pick and basically how Bowles is speaking about Godwin.
Hopefully, he’s back by mid-season
July 22nd, 2025 at 10:40 pm
I read the article and it is what I consider to be a very naive take from someone who is looking to make a story out of nothing or who is otherwise utterly clueless.
Entering the draft, the Bucs said they were going to take the best player available and CLEARLY, Egbuka was that person. He can play immediately if need be, for sure, but he also is the future – something the Bucs need to look toward considering the ages of both of their top wide receivers – with or without injury (and one or both Godwin or Evans miss time EVERY season). Throw in the all true fact that rookies make peanuts compared to established pros and you have what could be a substantial piece of the future on the team locked in at a bargain price for FIVE YEARS. He wasn’t drafted as Godwin insurance, although he happens to be that.
And no, there was NOBODY on defense that was even close to Emeka’s value at the 19th spot in the draft during the first round. Those who think there was are clearly drafting based on need, not value.
July 22nd, 2025 at 10:41 pm
I hope they don’t put him back in the slot, when he returns
Slot Receivers takes a lot of hits
Put Egbuka in the slot, and Chris on the outside
July 22nd, 2025 at 10:49 pm
You are not wrong, but…
That’s where Godwin wants to play. That’s where he thrives.
July 22nd, 2025 at 10:55 pm
I’d imagine he had to have screws removed. That’s expected, and if it was in the early spring he should be right on schedule. Late spring-summer, not so much.
July 22nd, 2025 at 10:59 pm
Not only does Godwin have to be well enough then he has has to get into game shape. Yeah thats why we have Egbuka and I am glad for it, EE is a Buc man through and through and we aare lucky to have him. Besides, I really want to see JMac get all the reps for outside and hopefully he can continue where he left off.
July 22nd, 2025 at 11:37 pm
It’ll be fine. We got depth! I’m curious about Anthony Walkers NFI designation.
July 22nd, 2025 at 11:54 pm
We were 6-2 down the stretch without Godwin or Egbuka. Not a concern
July 23rd, 2025 at 12:00 am
Take your time, be ready for the home stretch when they’re going to need you.
July 23rd, 2025 at 1:08 am
Stpetematt, what’s the recovery time from that?
July 23rd, 2025 at 1:55 am
The screw removal idea makes some sense…
But the words “minor procedure” and “cleaned out” sounds more like it was arthroscopic – perhaps to ‘clean out’ some bone or cartilage fragments? Or perhaps they were able to remove screws arthroscopically? If screws were even involved….
Either way, thats only 4-8 weeks to be fully ‘healed’ from such a ‘procedure’.
Whatever limitations Godwin might still be having are likely due to the severity of the original injury almost 9 months ago – not the follow up ‘procedure’ in the ‘spring’……
Chris will be back when he’s back. It might be week 1 – it might be week 6.
Time will tell….
July 23rd, 2025 at 2:23 am
Is the same kind of fracture Jordan Travis FSU got and was not able to rehab from?
July 23rd, 2025 at 3:22 am
Recovery from screw hardware removal is like 3-6 months for total pain-free recovery. That’s why I mentioned early spring we should be in good shape. You can bet Godwin is doing all his PT so he should be coming along pretty well by now.
July 23rd, 2025 at 6:53 am
I can’t imagine him being able to get back to his pre injury form. His foot was 90 degrees to his lower leg.
He is in the Ryan Jensen category .
July 23rd, 2025 at 7:30 am
Everybody keeps indicating that if your on the PUP list at the start of the season your out for 4 games. But I thought the NFL changed the rule to 3 games. I THINK I’M RIGHT
July 23rd, 2025 at 7:54 am
Both will most-likely be out for the 1st 4 games of the season. Hopefully not much more than that, but we need Tristan back ASAP. Godwin can take as much time as he needs to be fully recovered, since we brilliantly drafted Ebuka.
July 23rd, 2025 at 8:30 am
Going in for a clean up as a secondary procedure is not uncommon. What Chris had done in the spring to his ankle is similar to what Wirfs had this Summer. Godwin injury was extensive. I wish CGJ the best.
July 23rd, 2025 at 8:37 am
Told ya. Licht messed up here and singed a permanently disabled man. Godwin doesn’t touch the field in 2025. And his career is likely over. Very sad.
July 23rd, 2025 at 8:43 am
Joe I read her tweet and article last night and everyone was on her for misquoting herself. Tweet says 2nd procedure on ankle, the actual story she published says had a 2nd procedure on his knee
July 23rd, 2025 at 8:45 am
Bowels is highly skilled at using a lot of words to say nothing. He missed his calling. He should have been a politician.
July 23rd, 2025 at 8:51 am
However, Jeff Mueller posted a picture of Godwin from the 76 jersey reveal back in June. His ankle is still very visible swollen, calf looks like it’s atrophied as well. Kinda worried he won’t make it back from this one.
July 23rd, 2025 at 9:55 am
More concerned with how many games Wirfs misses than how many Godwin misses. My early guess is Wirfs misses more games.
Hope I am wrong.
July 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
“but a source said it wasn’t a surprise and Godwin is “doing well.”
With that to Jeff it means Godwins career is over and he told us.
Except Jeff’s NEVER right.
July 23rd, 2025 at 10:17 am
Buc87
Doing well in a medical recovery context is vastly different
Than doing well in a PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL context
His foot was 90 degrees to his leg bones broken , ligaments and tendons torn
I am praying for him but I am also realistic and doubt he can return as an elite athlete.
July 23rd, 2025 at 1:39 pm
I am sure that Licht is plenty smart enough to not resign a new contract with an invalid who in their rite mind wud do something that stupid a smart guy wud sign a rookie with promise & cheap,this isn’t his 1st rodeo or the glazers.u guys have some stupid posts think before u drink
July 23rd, 2025 at 11:14 pm
On this kind of injury scar tissue can limit range of movement. Usually what they do is trim it down to free up the ankle.
The timing can coincide with pin removal.
Getting the pins out and cleaning up the scar tissue is normal at this stage of recovery.
Now they’ll get that ankle back into PT and start to push the swelling out with massage and ice. As soon as the range of motion returns they’ll start building strength. This type of injury is 18 months.