The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will once again be without wide receiver Chris Godwin in the Week 2 game against the Houston Texans on Monday night, but the veteran could be back in the lineup soon.
Godwin is still working his way back from a dislocated ankle he suffered last October that cut his season short after seven games.
There was some hope that he could return early in the season after he was activated from the physically unable to perform list in August, but he was ruled out for the second-straight game on Saturday.
However, there was some good news for Godwin's hopes of returning soon during the week. Here's the latest.
Chris Godwin injury update
In August, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Godwin was targeting a return in October, which means he could be back as early as Week 5, the first game the Buccaneers have next month.
According to the Bucs' official injury report this week, Godwin returned to practice on Thursday, marking the first time he has taken part in a session since the regular season began.
Godwin was limited on Thursday, didn't practice on Friday, and then had another limited session on Saturday before he was ruled out for Week 2.
"It's great to see them out there. They were limited in practice, but they flew around and did the things we asked them to do," head coach Todd Bowles said of Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is also working his way back from injury.
Despite that positive step for Godwin, NFL Network's Judy Battista reported on Thursday that the target return date for Godwin is still October.
Whenever his return might be, Godwin will likely be eased back into the lineup after missing so much time, but the expectation is he will return to a key role in Tampa Bay once he gets his feet under him.
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