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When healthy, Chris Godwin is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and a perfect fit with Tom Brady as his primary slot receiver. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL injury at the end of the 2021 season, putting the start of 2022 in doubt.
Godwin progressed steadily throughout the summer, working off to the side in practice, then working into contact drills before finally shedding his knee brace right before the beginning of the season. By the time Week 1 rolled around, Godwin had defied the odds and put himself into a position to be active and on the field for the first game of the season.
Unfortunately, Godwin suffered an unrelated injury in the game and now finds himself questionable ahead of Week 2’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Will Godwin be ready to go this week?
Is Chris Godwin Healthy or Injured?
Against all odds, Chris Godwin played in the Buccaneers' first game roughly nine months after tearing his ACL. However, anybody who has had a ligament or tendon injury can tell you that even after the initial injury heals, you have a greater chance of suffering injuries to the surrounding muscles. Unfortunately, this is what happened with Godwin.
Godwin caught all three of his targets against the Cowboys for 37 yards, but this final catch resulted in a left hamstring strain. Godwin left the game after this, never returned, and has yet to practice this week. In general, a hamstring injury isn’t a big deal, but when it is an injury that occurs because of other deficiencies, then there is probably a reason to pause.
Based on what we know about practice this week, it is safe to say that Godwin suffered a relatively significant hamstring injury.
Will Godwin be Active in Week 2?
This question is a bit more complicated. For most players, a hamstring injury is a minor injury that typically results in no missed game action. But it is fair to say that Godwin’s injury happened due to the atrophy in his leg after the ACL tear, which elevates his risk of compounding injuries. The lack of practice time this week suggests that the Buccaneers believe this as well.
Many of us were shocked when Godwin returned as quickly as he did from his late-season ACL injury. While the knee itself is sound, unfortunately, the other muscles around it just haven’t had time to build up and restrengthen.
At the moment, it seems like Godwin is trending towards being inactive on Sunday’s divisional game against the New Orleans Saints. In terms of his long-term health and availability for the rest of the season, that is probably the smartest move and could allow him to avoid future injuries as well. Even if he is active, there is a considerable risk in starting him as he works his way to full strength from last year's knee injury.
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