The Buccaneers could be welcoming back a couple of key contributors at just the right time.
Receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) and tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) are questionable for Tampa Bay's Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Todd Bowles told reporters Friday. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (elbow) is also questionable and all three are trending in the right direction, per Bowles.
Godwin, Mayfield and Wirfs were all officially listed as questionable on the Bucs' final injury report, along with defensive lineman Logan Hall. Godwin was a full participant in Friday's practice after sitting out Thursday.
Considering Mayfield's toughness and determination, it's safe to believe he'll likely suit up. But the bigger news is the possible return of Godwin and Wirfs, two franchise pillars who haven't shared the field since Week 7 of the 2024 season in a loss to Baltimore that saw Godwin suffer a season-ending ankle injury.
Wirfs hasn't yet played a snap in the regular season due to a knee issue that required surgery in July and kept him out of training camp entirely. The two-time All-Pro's absence was only the first of a string of losses affecting the Buccaneers' offensive line, and getting him back before October would provide them with a much-needed premier reinforcement up front.
Godwin has been working back toward this anticipated return for months. The timing couldn't be much better when considering Mike Evans is expected to be out a while due to a hamstring injury suffered last weekend. Instead of being forced to proceed with a corps headlined by rookie Emeka Egbuka and veteran Sterling Shepard, the Buccaneers might be able to roll Godwin out with the aforementioned two as long as he continues to trend in the right direction.
The Buccaneers have quietly remained optimistic regarding the players' outlooks since the end of the preseason, a point at which the team decided to include both Godwin and Wirfs on their active roster in order to preserve their chances of returning before Week 5. As October nears, it seems as though that was the right decision -- and could provide the undefeated Buccaneers with a timely jolt.
