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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin reportedly will undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle this week after he was carted off the field near the end of Monday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters after the game that the first indications were Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle.
The wideout had an air cast placed on his left leg while leaving the field:
Godwin had seven catches for 65 yards prior to the injury, taking on a bigger load with Mike Evans suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the game.
The veteran entered the week with 43 catches for 511 yards and five touchdowns.
Godwin played in all 17 games in the 2023 season and led the Bucs with 83 receptions while ranking second on the team with 1,024 yards. He caught two touchdown passes and added a rushing score. It was his third straight 1,000-yard campaign and the fourth of his career.
The 28-year-old tore his ACL and MCL late in the 2021 season but still managed to suit up for Week 1 of the 2022 campaign. He picked up right where he left off as one of Tampa Bay’s most important offensive players, appearing in 15 games and recording a career-high 104 catches along with 1,023 yards and three touchdowns.
Godwin was a favorite target of Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady, who retired after the 2022 season. The Penn State product developed a similar rapport with Baker Mayfield, who earned the starting job last offseason and was signed to a three-year extension in March.
With Godwin out, star wide receiver Mike Evans will be counted on even more in the passing attack when he is able to return after also leaving Monday’s game with a hamstring injury. Sterling Shepard would likely get more volume his way as well, and players such as Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan will see more action on the field.
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