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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Won't return in Week 2
Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 2:21 PM
Coach Todd Bowles said Saturday that Godwin (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game at Houston, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Godwin logged his first practice reps Thursday since sustaining a dislocated left ankle Week 7 during the 2024 campaign, but he followed up that limited session with no activity Friday before Bowles made a ruling on his availability for Week 2. His next chance for game action arrives Sunday, Sept. 21 against the Jets, but he may need to practice on back-to-back days in order to put himself in a position to make his season debut. Mike Evans and rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka will continue to serve as the primary wide receivers for quarterback Baker Mayfield until Godwin is cleared to return. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Doesn't practice Friday
Fri, Sep 12, 2025, 6:04 PM
Godwin (ankle) didn't practice Friday.
Analysis: Godwin was limited Thursday in his first practice since suffering a dislocated left ankle Week 7 of last season, signaling that he was beginning to ramp up his conditioning. His next step in that regard likely will be taking part in drills on back-to-back days, which, because it didn't happen this week, may be an indication that he isn't a great candidate to return to action Monday at Houston. Ultimately, Tampa Bay can make a decision on Godwin's status for that contest when it posts its final Week 2 injury report Saturday. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Officially limited in return to practice
Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 12:18 PM
Coach Todd Bowles said Godwin (ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Bowles also told Brianna Dix of the team's official site that the Buccaneers "will see how [Godwin and Tristan Wirfs (knee)] come along during the week. They have a lot of tests to pass." Godwin got back on the practice field Thursday for the first time since dislocating his left ankle Week 7 of last season, and while he avoided the reserve/PUP list to begin the current campaign, the expectation for Godwin in particular was to give him a chance to return to game action by the end of September. Still, Tampa Bay seemingly is keeping the door open for Godwin to suit up Monday at Houston, assuming he clears the aforementioned hurdles. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Expected to practice Thursday
Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 10:11 AM
Godwin (ankle) is expected to practice Thursday in a limited fashion, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Assuming Godwin does in fact go down as a limited participant on the Buccaneers' first Week 2 practice report, it would mark the wideout's first on-field work since he dislocated his left ankle in an Oct. 21 game against the Ravens. After undergoing an initial surgery in October, Godwin required a more minor secondary procedure in the spring to fix some of the hardware in the ankle. Ian Rapoport and Judy Battista of NFL Network previously reported Sunday that Godwin isn't expected to be ready to make his 2025 debut until at least the Buccaneers' Week 5 matchup with the Seahawks on Oct. 5, but Tampa Bay's decision not to place the receiver on injured reserve will allow him to practice with the team until he's deemed ready for game action. According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Godwin is expected to take part in two of the Buccaneers' three practices this week, but he could ramp up his activity further in Week 3. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton Blanked in Week 1 win
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:08 PM
Otton failed to bring in any of his three targets in the Buccaneers' 23-20 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Analysis: After managing to head into the weekend without an injury designation following weeks of dealing with leg and groin issues, Otton wasn't able to get on the stat sheet for the first time since Week 2 of last season. Despite the blanking Sunday, Otton will naturally make a much bigger impact on the stat sheet in the majority of games this season, potentially beginning with a Week 2 road showdown against the Texans on Monday night, Sept. 15. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Commemorates debut with two TDs
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 5:11 PM
Egbuka brought in four of six targets for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the Buccaneers' 23-20 win over the Falcons on Sunday. He also rushed once for nine yards.
Analysis: The rookie first-round pick had been ascendant since he first stepped on a Buccaneers practice field this offseason, and Egbuka delivered handsomely in his first career regular-season contest. The Ohio State product first struck from 30-yards out just past the midway point of the second quarter, and he subsequently added what would turn out to be a game-winning 25-yard scoring grab with just under a minute remaining. The poise and polish that Egbuka has repeatedly been commended for was on display on his way to a team-leading yardage total, and he'll be in line to play another significant role during a Week 2 marquee interconference road matchup against the Texans on Monday night, Sept. 15. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Three TDs in inefficient showing
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 5:03 PM
Mayfield completed 17 of 32 passes for 167 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions while adding five rushes for 39 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-20 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Analysis: Mayfield was considerably less efficient than usual while facing a feisty Falcons defense in a rowdy dome environment, but after some early struggles, the veteran signal-caller was able to awaken the Buccaneers offense with a 30-yard scoring strike to rookie Emeka Egbuka. Mayfield would subsequently connect with Bucky Irving from nine yards out in the third quarter, and he capped off what turned out to be a rewarding fantasy day with a critical 25-yard touchdown toss to Egbuka with just under one minute remaining to erase a 20-17 deficit. Mayfield also finished as Tampa Bay's leading rusher, and his quick chemistry with Egbuka bodes well heading into a tough Week 2 road matchup against the Texans on Monday night, Sept. 15. |
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Mike Evans Mike Evans Modest start to season
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 4:44 PM
Evans brought in five of eight targets for 51 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-20 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Analysis: Evans recorded team-high catch and target totals while finishing second in receiving yards to rookie position mate Emeka Egbuka. However, it was the latter and Bucky Irving who ended up on the receiving end of Baker Mayfield's three touchdown passes, leaving Evans with a solid but relatively muted season-opening line. The perennial Pro Bowler could be due for an even bigger workload in a Week 2 road showdown against the Texans on Monday night, Sept. 15. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Receiving TD in otherwise quiet day
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 4:07 PM
Irving rushed 14 times for 37 yards and brought in all four targets for eight yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 23-20 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Analysis: Both Irving and Falcons counterpart Bijan Robinson were stymied by the opposing front seven, but each also found a way to get into the end zone as a receiver. Irving's nine-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter was particularly critical for his fantasy day, as it prevented what would have otherwise been a total washout in that regard. Irving also saw a bit of a lesser rushing workload than might have been expected in the back-and-forth affair, and he could have an uphill climb to an efficient performance again in a Week 2 Monday night road matchup against the Texans on Sept. 15. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Eyeing Week 5 for season debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 11:07 AM
Godwin (ankle), who is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons, is targeting the Buccaneers' Week 5 matchup with the Seahawks on Oct. 5 for his 2025 debut, Ian Rapoport and Judy Battista of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: After requiring an initial surgery in October 2024 to repair a dislocated left ankle, Godwin underwent a follow-up procedure in the spring to tighten up the hardware inserted during the prior surgery. Though Godwin hasn't hit any unexpected snags in the recovery process, he has yet to resume practicing and is on track to miss at least a few more games before taking the field for the Buccaneers. Though Tampa Bay could have placed Godwin on a reserve list to open up a spot on the 53-man roster, the team avoided doing so with the hope that the veteran wideout will be able to resume practicing within the next few weeks. He'll likely need to turn in a full practice at some point during Week 5 to have a realistic shot at playing against the Seahawks, though the Buccaneers believe that a Week 6 or 7 return could be in the forecast for Godwin if he needs a little extra time to fully ramp up. |
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Devin Culp Devin Culp Healthy scratch Week 1
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 10:41 AM
Culp (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: With Cade Otton overcoming a lingering groin injury to play Week 1, Culp will observe Sunday's game in street clothes while Payne Durham and Ko Kieft serve in backup roles at tight end. Culp managed to make the Bucs' 53-man roster after a strong training camp, but the 2024 seventh-rounder is unlikely to see much playing time unless Otton, Durham or Kieft were to miss time. Culp's next chance to play is Week 2 against Houston on Monday, Sept. 15. |
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Sean Tucker Sean Tucker Good to go Sunday
Fri, Sep 5, 2025, 4:01 PM
Tucker (hand) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Analysis: Tucker practiced in full all week and should be fine for his RB3 role in the Tampa Bay backfield. Rachaad White dealt with a groin issue earlier in the preseason but wasn't even listed on the injury report this week and has been practicing without limitations for the last couple weeks, leaving Tucker behind both Bucky Irving and White to open the season. Tucker would likely need an injury to one of the two in order to find his way into meaningful playing time and touches. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Officially ruled out
Fri, Sep 5, 2025, 11:30 AM
Godwin (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Godwin didn't practice this week and seems highly unlikely to play Week 2. Auman and other reporters have said that Godwin is on the active roster so he can practice with teammates later this month, not because the Buccaneers expect him to play in games before October. Neither team nor player have been willing to say as much, with the official word for now simply being that Godwin remains absent from practice and won't play Week 1. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton Gets back to full Thursday
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 3:27 PM
Otton (groin) practiced in full Thursday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Following Wednesday's capped session with what officially was termed a groin injury, Otton was able to handle every practice rep one day later, setting him up to serve his usual function as the Buccaneers' No. 1 TE on Sunday in Atlanta. In two games against the Falcons last season, he combined for 12 catches (on 14 targets) for 125 yards and two touchdowns. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Another absence from practice
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 3:22 PM
Godwin (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Godwin has begun the 2025 campaign with back-to-back DNPs, seemingly implying that he's trending toward an absence Sunday in Atlanta. He's in the later stages of his recovery from the dislocated left ankle that he suffered Week 7 of last season, but by avoiding the reserve/PUP list last week, he's been given a chance to be available at some point in the first month of the season. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not the Buccaneers rule him out for Week 1 action, but rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka is poised to be top WR Mike Evans' running mate for as long as Godwin is sidelined. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton Limited by groin issue
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 3:56 PM
Otton (groin) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Otton sustained a hamstring injury early in training camp, got back on the practice field as of Aug. 11 and played in preseason Week 2, when he didn't gather in either of his two targets. He then came down with a leg issue last Wednesday that now has been confirmed as a groin concern. Otton's status thus bears monitoring as the week goes on to get a sense of his chances to suit up Sunday in Atlanta. |
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Rachaad White Rachaad White Not on injury report
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 3:49 PM
White (groin) wasn't listed on the Buccaneers' first Week 1 practice report Wednesday, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: White emerged from preseason Week 1 action with a groin injury, after which coach Todd Bowles said at the time made the running back "day-to-day," per Scott Smith of the team's official site. It's unclear if Wednesday's uncapped session marks White's first since then, but he now has a clean bill of health ahead of Sunday's game in Atlanta, when he'll be working in a complementary role behind No. 1 RB Bucky Irving. Such a gig amounted to 10.1 touches per game for White after Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye last season, but only 20 touches total over the final four contests, including a wild-card loss to the Commanders. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Officially begins season with DNP
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 3:30 PM
Godwin (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Godwin's lack of activity to kick off the campaign isn't a surprise, as he remains in recovery mode from the season-ending dislocated left ankle that he sustained Week 7 of last year. Having said that, Tampa Bay activated him from the active/PUP list last Tuesday, thereby giving him a chance to return to action at some point during the first four weeks. For as long as Godwin is sidelined, rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka will be working in tandem with long-time Buc Mike Evans in the starting offense. |
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Cade Otton Cade Otton Gets on practice field Monday
Mon, Sep 1, 2025, 12:40 PM
Otton (leg) is participating in Monday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Otton is likely practicing on a limited basis Monday, but that's nonetheless a step in the right direction after it was reported last week that his leg injury could threaten his Week 1 availability. He previously missed time during the preseason due to a separate hamstring injury. Wednesday's first official practice report of the week will officially disclosed Otton's activity level as Sunday's regular-season opener on the road against Atlanta approaches. |
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Devin Culp Devin Culp Could see early-season boost
Fri, Aug 29, 2025, 3:54 PM
Culp is in line to see increased target opportunities if No. 1 tight end Cade Otton (leg) is sidelined to open the regular season, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Head coach Todd Bowles previously remarked that Otton is expected "to be out a little bit," without further details. However, more information on a projected return timeline is expected during Week 1 practices next week, and Dix notes the Buccaneers will take a "committee approach" at tight end for any games Otton might be sidelined for. Considering No. 3 tight Ko Kieft has all of one reception since the beginning of the 2023 season, such a scenario would leave Culp and Payne Durham as the only legitimate pass-catching options at the position to open the season. That was the case during Weeks 16-18 last season when Otton sat out with a knee injury, a span in which Culp flashed some downfield chops while recording a 5-88-0 line on six targets. The second-year pro also generated three first downs on his five preseason receptions this summer, including on a 22-yard grab in the exhibition finale against the Bills on Saturday night. |
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