The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially moved star left tackle Tristan Wirfs to the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. They placed star wideout Chris Godwin on the list as well. This decision, announced as the team prepares for the upcoming season, follows both players’ significant injuries that have sidelined them during crucial training sessions.
The talented second-year tackle missed June’s mandatory minicamp due to a personal matter. Recently, he’s been seen on the sidelines wearing a large stabilizer on his right knee. Coach Todd Bowles said Wirfs missed practice for precautionary reasons. He emphasized the need to make sure the player is fully healed before returning to practice. Tightening up while the team is staying loose, they’re exercising caution as they prepare for the regular season. Placing Wirfs on the PUP list allows him to take additional time to heal.
Chris Godwin is staring down a lost season. He dislocated his left ankle in Week 7 of last year’s regular season. After surgery to repair his severe fracture, Godwin was faced with a long rehabilitation period. As such, he sat out all of OTAs and June’s mandatory minicamp. He did have, however, a member of the team’s training staff very closely working with him. As a team, they worked to maintain his continued healthcare and rehabilitation progress.
As for Godwin, his fate remains uncertain. According to multiple reports, a “best-case scenario” would see him coming back for the playoffs in January of 2025. In early July, he had arthroscopic surgery to clear up chronic ankle issues. Godwin will be joining Wirfs on the active PUP list. Due to the injury, he will not take part in training camp activities again until receiving medical clearance to return.
Both players will count against the Buccaneers’ 90-man training camp roster limit, which adds to the team’s strategic planning as they prepare for the season. Should either player be moved to the reserve/PUP list, they would be required to miss the first four weeks of the regular season.
General Manager Jason Licht sounded hopeful that Godwin’s recovery timeline would be quicker than expected. With an eye toward Godwin being fully prepared and back to WR1-form by week 1 of the 2025 season. This timeline is wishful thinking from the team considering both key players’ return from injury.
Unfortunately, Wirfs and Godwin aren’t the only important players to play hurt this season. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and rookie nose tackle Desmond Watson make appearances on different lists, as they attempt to navigate their own injury obstacles.
Baker Mayfield, one of the Buccaneers’ new acquisitions, lauded their skills as players, even amid their struggles. He stated, “The thing that sticks out is how cerebral he is,” referring to their understanding of the game and ability to adapt quickly.
Mayfield further emphasized Godwin’s impressive grasp of the offense: “He’s so smart. Right now, I think we could plug-and-play him at every receiver spot. He understands the offense that well. That’s just him being a pro already.”
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