The Buccaneers are keeping the door open for a Chris Godwin return early in the season.
Tampa Bay will activate the veteran receiver from the physically unable to perform list, placing him on the 53-man roster to start the 2025 campaign, coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Thursday.
"He's taken off the PUP list," Bowles said of Godwin, "but he's got to get in football shape and everything else, so I wouldn't expect him to play early on."
Bowles added that All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) will start the season on the active roster, as well.
Despite the move, Godwin, who continues to rehab, isn't expected to play at the start of the season and could remain sidelined until October. However, removing him from the PUP list at least opens the door for the possibility he could suit up before Week 5.
"No, just when he's ready, just when he's ready," Bowles said when asked if there is a goal week for Godwin's return to play. "He's been out a long time, he's got to get in football shape. Tristan, the same way. But they'll be off and we'll see how it goes going forward."
The veteran receiver suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 7 of the 2024 season, a gruesome injury that continues to linger over the 2025 campaign. The Bucs have been optimistic about Godwin's return dating back to the spring, but never pushed the issue of him being ready for Week 1's game against the Falcons.
Godwin re-signed in Tampa this offseason to a three-year, $66 million contract, taking less than he could have gotten elsewhere.
Taking the 29-year-old off the PUP list allows him to begin the ramp-up process to prepare to play.
The development is welcome in Tampa after recent news that Jalen McMillan will miss a good chunk of the season due to a neck injury.
Until Godwin is ready to roll, the Bucs will lean on first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka opposite Mike Evans as Baker Mayfield's primary targets.
