Bucs, WR Chris Godwin try to work out differences: ‘Nobody’s beefing’

Greg Auman

NFC South Reporter

Chris Godwin, much like Bucs teammate Mike Evans, has long been appreciated as a rare NFL receiver who can produce at an elite level without adding the drama so often associated with the position.

That has changed a bit this week as the Bucs prepare for a crucial divisional showdown Sunday at the Falcons.

Godwin ran for the winning touchdown in last week’s victory over the Panthers but finished the day with zero catches on three targets, ending a streak of 67 straight games with at least two catches. There were mitigating factors — the first half Sunday was played in a steady downpour, and Godwin had missed practice Friday with a neck injury — but it pointed to an overall downturn in his usage. In the past five games, he has just 15 catches for 154 yards and no touchdown catches.

When asked Monday about Godwin’s lesser role, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said he had just seen that the receiver had no catches, and cited his recent injuries — neck last week, knee and elbow the week before — as part of the quiet day.

“We were subbing him out a lot,” Bowles said. “Obviously, he’s a little nicked up, so he’s not totally 100 percent. Nobody is, but he is probably banged up more than most. For him to get the [touchdown] run for us was huge for him. I think it helped him out a lot, it helped us out a lot, so it was good to see him get in the red zone.”

Seemed fairly harmless, but Godwin didn’t sub out a lot: Despite the injury, he played in 52 of 62 snaps, even higher than his average rate of 80% of the offensive plays. And on Wednesday, Godwin’s wife, Mariah, took to Instagram, very upset at what she considered an insult to Godwin pushing through injuries to play as much as he can.

“I’m not sure why we are just blatantly lying here,” she wrote, citing Bowles’ comments. “Regardless of how banged up Chris is, he continues to work his ass off. Hasn’t missed a game. Continues to run great routes…

Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bucs-wr-chris-godwin-try-to-work-out-differences-nobodys-beefing

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Publish date : 2023-12-07 20:40:51

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