WR Chris Godwin (dislocated ankle) reportedly to have surgery, likely out for rest of 2024

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely be without Chris Godwin for the rest of the 2024 season. The team has confirmed the wide receiver suffered a dislocated ankle Monday night and he is slated to undergo surgery this week after an MRI to determine the extent of the samage, NFL Media reported. 

The wide receiver was carted off with the injury with a minute remaining in their 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said “early indications” are that Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle. “It doesn’t look good,” he said after the game. 

The injury happened when Godwin caught a 21-yard pass from Baker Mayfield and was tackled by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. The receiver stayed down on the field and appeared to be in significant pain. 

The NFL will investigate Smith’s tackle that injured Godwin as a hip-drop tackle, per multiple reports. It’s the type of tackle that was notably outlawed after the 2023 season following several high-profile injuries — including to Ravens tight end Mark Andrews — as a result of the tackle method. Smith will be fined if the NFL determines he committed such a tackle.

This was the second major receiver injury for the Bucs in Week 7. In the second quarter, Mike Evans exited the game with a hamstring injury, shortly after he recorded the 100th touchdown reception of his career. Evans will also undergo an MRI to determine how quickly he can return to the football field.

Even before Evans’ injury, Godwin was Tampa Bay’s top receiver this season. He came into the week with a team-high 43 catches for 511 yards, along with five touchdown receptions. Godwin added seven catches for 65 yards against the Ravens. Through seven weeks, he’s the NFL leader in receptions with 50.

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