Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. will be out for Tampa Bay in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. The Buccaneers are scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Sept. 7.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the former Penn State wideout is recovering from a second surgery on his ankle to "tighten up hardware," but his return to practice is expected soon. Godwin Jr. has a hopeful game return date of Oct. 5. Tampa Bay is slated to face the Seattle Seahawks on the road with kickoff at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Chris Godwin Jr. will not play against Atlanta Falcons in season opener for Tampa Bay, has a Week 5 hopeful return
The #Bucs will be without WR Chris Godwin today, as he recovers from a second surgery on his ankle, this time to tighten up hardware. Sources tell me and @judybattista he should return to practice soon and Week 5 is the target for a return. W6 or 7 is also possible. It’s coming. pic.twitter.com/io0XRi53Q4
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2025
According to the Buccaneers' injury report, Godwin Jr. did not play Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at practice, which is expected for the wide receiver recovering from his 2024 sustained injury. He also missed the beginning of training camp.
In 2024, Godwin Jr. had 50 reception for 576 yards and five touchdowns as well as one carry for two yards. His season was cut short in Week 7 when he dislocated his ankle against the Baltimore Ravens.
Former Penn State players' statuses for Week 1:
- Yetur Gross-Matos, DL, San Francisco 49ers: Unspecified (knee)
- Micah Parsons, DL, Green Bay Packers: Questionable (back)
- Kevin Winston Jr., S, Tennessee Titans: Doubtful (hamstring)
- Chris Godwin Jr., WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OUT (ankle)
Micah Parsons expected to ease into Week 1
While Parsons' is listed as questionable due to his back, he is expected to play in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. This will be his first game as a Green Bay Packers as he takes Lombardi Field in the green and yellow jersey.
Parsons was previously dealing with a back injury and was limited in practice for the Packers this week leading up to the season opener. However, Rapoport reported that Green Bay plans on easing Parsons into the rotation.
Gross-Matos was also limited in practice this week. The defensive lineman did not practice Wednesday or Friday, but CBS Sports reported that he was partially active on Thursday. He could play in the season opener due to this limited participation and be active in Sunday's defensive rotation.