ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin will be activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list and will be on the 53-man roster to start the season. The wideout is still recovering from a dislocated ankle injury that he suffered in Week 7 of last season and while he be on the active roster, the team still doesn’t expect him to be ready until October.
Chris Godwin activated off PUP list
Bucs WR Chris Godwin is being activated off the PUP list ahead of the season. We’ll take a look at the fantasy impact.
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Players who are on the PUP list at the start of the regular season must sit out the first four games and the rules indicate that they can participate in all team activities except practice. The Bucs anticipate that Godwin will be ready to practice by Week 2 and pulled him off the list to ensure that he’ll be able to properly prepare for his inevitable return.
The All-Pro wideout was proving to be one of the top receivers in the entire league prior to his season-ending injury against the Baltimore Ravens last October. He accumulated 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 19.7 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues prior to the devastating injury.
Fantasy Football Impact
Godwin’s ADP (average draft position) is currently 41st among wide receivers in PPR leagues according to FantasyPros, indicating that fantasy managers were already willing to draft and stash him with the knowledge that he wouldn’t be ready until October. While Thursday’s news didn’t alter the timeline of his expected return, the managers who already put him on their respective rosters should feel more assured in their decision. Godwin should play an important role in the offense immediately upon his return, especially with fellow wideout Jalen McMillan potentially missing half the season with a neck strain.
I’d circle the team’s Week 5 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks as a date for his possible return.
