Buccaneers Get Crushing Injury Update for 49ers Game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin and running back Rachaad White.
When it comes to injuries, it appears there is only bad news on the horizon for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The latest blow might be the most disheartening to date as news broke that NFL All-Pro wide receiver Chris Godwin reportedly won’t play against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6.
“Bucs WR Chris Godwin (fibula) is not expected to play Sunday vs. 49ers, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on his official X account on Friday, October 10.
Godwin missed the last 10 games of the 2024 season and the first 3 games of the 2025 regular season as he recovered froma dislocated left ankle.
In the 2 games since his return, Godwin has just 6 receptions for 52 yards — 3 receptions and 26 yards in both a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4 and in a road win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.
“Chris Godwin is now NOT expected to play this week. Very interesting,” Dr. Jeff Mueller wrote on his official X account. “Hardware from his prior surgeries may be causing irritation because otherwise, fibula is a unique/specific injury designation.”
Bucs May Have Let Godwin Come Back Too Soon
Godwin was never placed on injury reserve this season due to the Buccaneers believing they would benefit more from having him practice the first 4 weeks and continue to recover from his injury with the thought he might play his first game in Week 5 against the Seahawks.
That’s why it was a surprise to see Godwin back against the Eagles — possibly giving in to the emotion of wanting to make his debut for a huge home game against the defending Super Bowl champions.
“Godwin hasn’t practiced this week and looked limited for much of the Seattle game,” NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account on October 10. “More Shepard, more Tez vs. 49ers on Sunday.”
One thing the Buccaneers might have going for them is that the 49ers are just as badly hurt as them now, if not more so.
“Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., Bucky Irving, Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison all in serious doubt for Sunday (against 49ers),” 10 Tampa Bay TV’s Evan Closky wrote on his official X account. “The Niners injury report is simply too long.”
Rookie Has Become WR1 for Buccaneers
Not having Godwin on the field against the 49ers would mean the Buccaneers will be without all 3 of their projected starting wide receivers for the first time this season.
NFL All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury. Second year wide receiver Jalen McMillan isn’t expected back until Week 10 and has yet to play this season with a severe neck sprain.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, they’re off to a 4-1 start thanks to the brilliant play of 2025 first round pick and rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Egbuka, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, is fourth in the NFL in receiving through 5 games — his first 5 NFL games — with 25 receptions for 445 yards and 5 touchdowns.
“Emeka Egbuka is the 3rd player since 1970 with 425+ receiving yards and 5+ rec TD through 5 career games along with Randy Moss and Ja’Marr Chase,” CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson wrote on X on October 5.
Dan Campbell Gives Concerning Taylor Decker Injury Update
The Detroit Lions may be 4-1 and rolling into Week 6 as one of the NFL’s top teams, but not everything is trending in the right direction, especially when it comes to veteran left tackle
Decker, who’s been battling a lingering shoulder injury since the start of the season, missed Sunday’s 37-24 win over the Bengals, and head coach Dan Campbell didn’t exactly sound optimistic about his recovery moving forward.
“Diminishing Returns Each Week”
Campbell was brutally honest when asked about Decker’s status. The team initially hoped that extra rest and rehab during the week would allow him to be ready for Sundays, but that plan appears to have hit a wall.
“Every week, the recovery has been less and less,” Campbell said as quoted by SideLion Report. “He’s not been able to quite catch up, we feel like there’s diminishing returns each week. Man, it’s a little, ah. We just felt like we need to give this guy a little time, and I don’t know how long. But this is so we get him back.”
That quote says a lot. It’s not just about missing a game, it’s about the reality that Decker’s shoulder isn’t improving, and the team may need to think long-term to preserve him for the stretch run.
Giovanni Manu Steps Up (Sort Of)
With Decker sidelined, the Lions turned to 2024 fourth-round pick Giovanni Manu, a developmental tackle. Manu had some promising moments, especially in the run game, but his inexperience showed at times.
Campbell acknowledged as much, noting that Manu has plenty of room to grow.
“I thought he did some good things in the run game. I thought there were some play-action passes he did a good job. And then there were some that they weren’t good, and he’ll learn from.”
The Lions also re-signed Dan Skipper to the active roster this week and elevated Devin Cochran from the practice squad, a clear sign the team is preparing for the possibility that Decker could miss more time.
Why It Matters
Decker isn’t just any player, he’s the longest-tenured Lion on the roster and one of the most respected voices in the locker room. Since being drafted in 2016, he’s been a cornerstone on an offensive line that has grown into one of the league’s best.
If his shoulder doesn’t improve, Detroit could be looking at a major challenge protecting Jared Goff’s blind side. Campbell made it clear he won’t rush Decker back if it means risking his long-term health.
“I don’t want to put Decker out there if it means we get a couple of games and don’t have him for the rest of the year. It makes no sense. So we’ll play this smart.”
The Bottom Line
Decker’s injury is becoming one of the Lions’ biggest storylines of the season, not because of how he’s playing, but because of how much they miss his presence when he’s not on the field.
For now, Detroit will rely on Manu, Skipper, and a mix of line adjustments to keep Goff upright. But everyone inside Allen Park knows one thing: if the Lions want to make a deep postseason run, they’ll need Taylor Decker back, healthy, strong, and ready for the long haul.
