The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to activate vast receiver Chris Godwin and left deal with Tristan Wirfs off the lively/bodily unable to carry out record and have them on their 53-man roster to start out the season, but it surely stays unclear when both star participant will probably be accessible to play in video games.
Godwin and Wirfs each have been sidelined all through coaching camp and the preseason and had been positioned on the lively/PUP record final month.
Coach Todd Bowles indicated Thursday that the Buccaneers need them on the 53-man roster when the season begins so they’re each eligible to apply with the group. If both participant had been to start out the common season on the PUP record, he can be required to overlook no less than 4 video games and wouldn’t be allowed to take part in group practices.
Bowles didn’t disclose agency timelines for both Godwin or Wirfs to return to taking part in in video games, nevertheless, saying each gamers wanted to “get in soccer form.”
Sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter earlier Thursday that Godwin nonetheless is unlikely to play till October as he continues recovering from the fractured ankle he suffered in Week 7 final season.
Godwin is predicted to start out training in Week 2, sources informed Schefter, however the Buccaneers are happy along with his restoration and assume the nine-year veteran is true the place he ought to be right now.
A number of sources informed ESPN’s Jenna Laine final month that Godwin underwent one other minor process this spring to have his ankle “cleaned out,” however a supply mentioned it wasn’t a shock and Godwin was “doing nicely” on the time.
Wirfs underwent arthroscopic knee surgical procedure final month, and sources informed ESPN on the time that the Bucs anticipated him to overlook the beginning of the common season.
Godwin and Wirfs are eligible to be activated from the lively/PUP record at any level throughout coaching camp or the preseason as soon as medically cleared.
Regardless of the harm from final season, the Bucs re-signed Godwin as a free agent earlier this 12 months on a three-year, $66 million deal that features two seasons absolutely assured at $44 million.
Tampa Bay is predicted to start out the season short-handed at vast receiver as a result of restoration timeline for Godwin and the latest neck harm to Jalen McMillan, who is predicted to start out the season on injured reserve and may very well be sidelined till after the Bucs’ Week 9 bye week.
By means of the primary seven weeks of final 12 months, Godwin loved arguably one of the best season of his profession, main the league with 50 catches. His 576 receiving yards was second-most within the league, and his 5 landing catches was tied for third.
Godwin ranks second in franchise historical past — behind solely longtime teammate Mike Evans — with 579 receptions, 7,266 yards and 39 landing catches.
ESPN’s Jenna Laine contributed to this report.