The biggest question heading into Week 1 for the Bucs is this: Will Chris Godwin be playing?

We’ve long speculated for weeks and even months of when one of Tampa Bay’s best receivers will be available.

Godwin Talks After Practice

After watching him with a microscope every single practice, Godwin, who did not participate on Thursday, did speak in the locker room after. Has his status changed? He gave a thorough report of everything he’s considering for Sunday night.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I think it’s a very complicated process,” Godwin said. “Obviously any time you come off a major injury like this you never really know how you’re going to feel. I’ve been doing well, y’all have seen me at practice doing a lot of stuff. Each day is very different than the day before. Ultimately what it come down to is one, how I’m feeling, and then two, the discussions that I’ve had with coach Bowles and the training staff. I think whenever the time comes for the game, I think everybody will know. Until then, even I’m not sure.”

Godwin also confirmed that it would be a game time decision when the Bucs travel to play against the Cowboys. The most important hurdle he has to get over next is that first hit to his injured knee.

“I pretty much considered most of those things,” Godwin said. “It’s a very complicated injury, and one that guys are just starting to come back from pretty regularly. But I think an interesting thing for me is how my injury happened, it was a contact injury, so I’d imagine there’ll be some kind of stuff with that, but you never know until you get hit. I would imagine it would be similar to like [what] a regular game would be for me. Once you get hit, now you’re in the game.”

Support For Godwin

There’s no pressure on him to come back right away. That’s why Russell Gage and Julio Jones were brought in.

“We have a loaded room of receivers that can go make plays at every level of the field,” Godwin said. “We got talented guys at the running back room and in the tight end room. We’re not lacking in any way at the skill positions. So I think that really helps me in my process, it allows me to feel comfortable waiting until I feel really comfortable to go out there and play.”

His teammates have been impressed with how he’s looked since returning. Godwin has gradually made his way to working along side the entire offense in team settings. It’s been a welcome sight.

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

“He’s done a great job,” Tom Brady said. “It’s a significant injury that he’s faced. It was a big hurdle for him to overcome. That rehab is really tough, someone who’s been through a torn ACL and a contact ACL, that’s a very difficult injury, but he took it head on and he’s done a great job. Chris is a guy, talk about taking advantage of your opportunity, Chris has done that. He’s a great professional, he’s a great leader, always here to bring a positive energy to what he’s doing. He’s very talented, outside of his skillset I think his attitude is what makes him such a great player and a great teammate.”

Overall, Godwin has been happy with the process regardless of his status for the opening game.

“I’ve been very pleased,” Godwin said. “I think anybody that was going through this that arrived at camp the way I did I think they’d be pleased. I really think that’s just a testament to the hard work that I’ve put in, to the people that have been helping me, to my support staff. It’s been a long, long process, but I’m just glad to really be out there with my guys, really get in practice and just getting to do what I love to do.”