Chris Godwin continues inching in the direction of a attainable return for the Buccaneers. When chatting with reporters for the primary time since he resumed training in August, the Pro Bowl wideout referred to as himself a “game-time decision” concerning Tampa’s season opener towards the Cowboys.
“I don’t have a definitive answer,” Godwin stated, via ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “I’m just really grateful to be out there right now.” The 26-year-old started collaborating in particular person drills final month, making incremental progress from the knee damage which ended his season final December. Earlier this week, he shed the knee brace he had been using, opening up the chance that he may swimsuit up for Week 1.
“I think it’s a really like complicated process,” Godwin cautioned, nevertheless. “Obviously, you come off a major injury like this, you never really know how you’re gonna feel. But I’ve been doing really well… I’ve been doing a lot of stuff, and like each day, it’s very different than the day before… I think whenever the time comes for the game, I think everybody will know, but until then, even I’m not sure.”
Laine notes that Godwin has nonetheless but to be cleared for contact in observe, so it will come as little shock if the crew had been to stay cautious with him and hold him sidelined. Tampa Bay made a sizeable dedication to Godwin this offseason, signing him to a three-year, $60M deal to keep away from a scenario the place he performed out the 2022 season on the franchise tag. The Buccaneers even have a bevy of different high-end receivers to depend on ought to Godwin be unable to start out the season, together with Mike Evans, Julio Jones and Russell Gage.
“[The games]
depend the identical, however we would like him effectively,” head coach Todd Bowles stated. “I don’t want him out there before it’s time. If he’s healthy and ready to go and they clear him, and everybody feels he’s ready to go and it’s completely 100%, then you take your shot. Anything less than that, I’d rather him sit.”
Godwin’s standing will due to this fact seemingly come all the way down to the wire on Sunday. His return can be a welcomed sight for the Buccaneers every time it occurs, however it could not happen for one more week or so.
