Bucs Star WR to Undergo Surgery For Ankle Injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to play the rest of 2024 without Chris Godwin.

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is pressured by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers figured that they were going to lose wide receiver Chris Godwin for the rest of the 2024 NFL season, and now, it's been confirmed.

Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle at the very end of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, which saw him carted off the field in an emotional scene. Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that it was a dislocated ankle and that they'd have to test and see if there was any more damage — and per the NFL's Ian Rapoport, there was.

Godwin suffered ligament damage to his ankle and will undergo surgery for it, which will officially end his 2024 season in Tampa Bay. He's slated to be ready for 2025, where he'll become a free agent and the Bucs will have to make a decision on re-signing him or not.

#Bucs WR Chris Godwin will undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle this week, sources say. He’ll see a doctor today to determine the damage & is expected to make a full recovery for 2025 — when he’ll be a FA.

Godwin was in a career year with 576 receiving yds — 2nd in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/UPVOqFwjXT

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2024

READ MORE: 3 Up, 3 Down From Bucs' Shambolic Loss to Ravens

Tampa Bay's receiver depth was thin as is heading into this game, and with Godwin out, it's become much worse. Star wideout Mike Evans injured his hamstring on a play in the second quarter and also left the game, and if he misses time with that, Tampa Bay will be down to Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer as the only healthy wideouts on the roster after Kameron Johnson headed to injured reserve.

Godwin was having a stellar year on a contract year, netting 576 yards and five touchdowns so far. Now, he'll focus on recovery, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will focus on trying to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 without him.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

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