The Bucs offense didn’t light the Cardinals defense on fire or anything in Sunday’s 20-17 win at Raymond James Stadium. But there were some encouraging signs. One was the successful return of Bucky Irving to the Tampa Bay offense, and another was that Chris Godwin Jr. looked more like himself than he has in over a year.

Godwin dislocated his ankle in a Week 7 loss to the Ravens in October 2024, and he fought his way back from the second season-ending injury of his career the same way he fought back from the first one, which came three years earlier. He did it by grinding away at the rehab process and working his way back into form. Back then, he came back and had a 1,000-yard season in 2022 before really looking like his real self again in 2023.

The comeback in 2025 was a bit slower. He had three catches for 26 yards in his first action of the season, which came in a Week 4 loss to the Eagles. Then, he had three catches for 26 yards again the next week in a win over the Seahawks in Seattle. But then came a fibula injury that set Godwin back and kept him out of the next five games.

He ultimately made his second return to the field in last week’s 34-7 loss to the Rams, and it was an uninspiring return. Though, to be fair, everything Tampa Bay did in that Week 12 defeat was uninspiring.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

That brings us to Sunday’s Week 13 contest against the Cardinals. In this game, for the first time since that Week 7 injury last year, Chris Godwin Jr. looked like Chris Godwin Jr. again. The explosiveness resurfaced for the 29-year-old receiver as he caught three of his five targets for a team-high 78 yards. He would certainly like to have that dropped touchdown back, but what stood out in this one for No. 14 was the big-play ability. He had catches of 25, 31 and 22 yards, averaging 26 yards per catch.

The first one, the 25-yarder, came on third down. After Baker Mayfield escaped a sack and worked his way out of the pocket, he found Godwin, who wiggled free and got some yards after the catch for a big gain.

The next catch was a 31-yarder that saw Godwin create some separation, enough for Mayfield to drop an absolute dime into his hands to get the offense inside the 10-yard line.

And the third was another catch and run as Godwin took a short pass and worked his way through the defense for more yards after catch.

Again, the stat line looks much better if Godwin hauls in that catchable ball in the red zone and finishes with four catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. But with three catches for 78 yards, Sunday was a step in the right direction.

Todd Bowles, Baker Mayfield Praise Chris Godwin Jr.’s Progress

After Sunday’s game, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles pointed to the idea himself that Chris Godwin Jr. is getting closer to being his usual self.

“Chris is starting to look like old Chris,” Bowles said. “He got his feet wet last week, and this week, he was rolling. He was in a good groove.”

And quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has spent much of the season without his top targets in Godwin and Mike Evans, has to be happy to have the former back. The latter is reportedly on his way, too, but for now, it’s Godwin teaming up with rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson alongside Mayfield as they try to drive the Buccaneer passing game.

“Chris looks really good,” Mayfield said Sunday. “He looks better this time around, coming back, than he did earlier in the year, and just, classic Chris. He’s in the right spot at the right time, understands what we’re trying to get done, does all the right things, is willing to go block and make the difference. Just a consummate professional that we’re really, really lucky to have. Happy to have him back.”

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

As for the man himself, Godwin said after the game that contributing the way he did to Sunday’s win has him feeling really good about where he is. That’s definitely promising as the calendar turns to December and the Bucs’ push for the playoffs really hits the next level.

“I think I made some good plays today,” Godwin said. “It feels really good to get back in the flow of the game a little bit. You’re starting to see some signs of what I’m accustomed to. As you know, it’s been a long road for me, so just being able to play in back-to-back games and be healthy, I’m grateful for [it]. To be able to contribute in the way that I did, especially in a win, makes me feel good.