Inside Chris Godwin’s Injury
December 5th, 2023
Light was shed on receiver Chris Godwin’s neck injury last night.
The dish came on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
Godwin said the injury affects his neck range of motion and it is something he dealt with earlier in the season. However, per Godwin, he was sure the injury was completely in the past until it surprisingly ‘flared up on me” midway through Thursday’s practice.
“It definitely was as gametime decision,” Godwin said of playing Sunday against the Panthers.
Godwin added that his range of motion was limited in Sunday’s game but it was predetermined that he was safet to be full-go once the whistle blew. Neck’s are scary, Godwin conceded, and his ultimate football goal is to leave the game able to lead a normal life.
December 5th, 2023 at 11:44 am
Not good.
December 5th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Why was he on the field?
December 5th, 2023 at 11:49 am
I hurt my neck over 20 years ago which seemed insignificant at the time but has stayed with me on and off my entire life since. Praying for Godwin and his health. The Bucs would be wise to closely look into this and get on top of it now before it becomes a chronic condition. If he has to miss time, so be it. We are not going to win a Super Bowl this year. He and the Bucs don’t need to play with this condition and get it completely right, now.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Yep, get him healthy. At this point if it takes moving him to keep Evans, the Bucs should do it. A reliable possession receiver can be had in FA for half his price tag, to pair with Mike and Palmer next season.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Lakeland Steve Says
“I hurt my neck over 20 years ago which seemed insignificant at the time but has stayed with me on and off my entire life since.”
Same. I refused surgery.
Over time though, it has started to affect my shoulders arms and hands. Pinched nerves too.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:15 pm
what if:
chris was just more of a decoy on sunday with the bad neckbone and all…
something to consider as we all get crazy about his lack of targets
December 5th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Adam,
I tend to agree with you about him being deployed as a decoy Sunday. However, his lack of targets has been an ongoing issue this entire season as well. So there’s still reason to have issue with the situation. Also concerning is what he did with those targets he did get on Sunday (nothing). I love that Mike & Chris aren’t the typical “me first” diva type receivers, but if things continue this way, I’d like to see Chris speak out a little (and just a little – “of course I’d like to see more targets” etc). We’re doing him no favors with how we’re (not) using him, because he’s definitely not playing like a $20M receiver in his prime. People say trade him, what exactly do you think his value will be after this season with the contract he has? And where did the trade talk even come from? As far as I’m concerned, he falls into the large bucket of players that we’re (the coaching staff) not allowing to play to their strengths & potential. We need to trade these coaches, to the unemployment line. But more to the point, if Chris has a serious neck issue, he needs to get it properly evaluated and treated even if it means missing time. He’s a good guy and we’re going nowhere this season. Nothing worth risking his future health for.
December 5th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
Saskbucs … ‘A reliable possession receiver can be had in FA for half his price tag, to pair with Mike and Palmer next season.’
We have that already on our roster … a reliable possession receiver who JL acquired in FA for half the cost ($10 mil) of Godwin’s price tag. His name is Russell Gage, a very good possession WR who was very healthy with the Falcons, but certainly not with us.
Next season Mike Evans is gone IMO. He’s probably got 5-6 years left in him, which is 1 very good contract starting around $23 mil per year. There’s at least 1 reason the Bucs haven’t already re-signed him: we can’t afford him. Beyond that, although Mike obviously loves the Bucs, moving on to a contender will cement his legacy, and he seems to be more & more focused on that.
That being the most likely case, Bucs would be crazy to trade Chris Godwin. Palmer’s a potential #3, but certainly not a #1 who can replace Mike Evans. We’ll have to draft his replacement, just like we drafted him back in 2014 … with a high 1st Rnd pick. I vote for the 2025 draft, after we grab a quality rookie QB in Rnd 1 of the 2024 draft.
December 5th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Start Trask
December 5th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
The neck is nothing to mess with. Give him time to heal, it’ll be worth it in the long run. Mike Alstott’s career was cut short and ended because of a neck injury.
December 5th, 2023 at 3:01 pm
Most Neck injuries never completely heal guys. I hope Godwin takes his own assessment after this season and does what best for his life.
December 5th, 2023 at 4:48 pm
People (Scott Smith PR) are saying Godwin lost a step BC of the knee injury. I don’t think this is true but he’s much closer to the action and I give his opinion a lot of weight.
December 6th, 2023 at 7:17 am
We are all definitely behind you Chris.