Two injured Tampa Bay Buccaneers players, wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs — returned to the practice field on Thursday.
Chris Godwin & Tristan Wirfs Injury Updates
Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin were back at practice Wednesday for the first time this season. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/p6eVTUX44q
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) September 11, 2025
Reinforcements are on the way in Tampa.
Two offensive starters, Godwin and Wirfs, practiced with the Bucs on Thursday as they recover from injuries.
Godwin was having a career year in 2024 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
At the time of his injury, Godwin was leading the NFL in receptions (50), and tied for receiving touchdowns (5).
Godwin finished the 2024 campaign with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns.
Wirfs is rehabbing from a July surgery on his right knee. Wirfs was sensational in 2024 and had a legitimate claim for the title of the NFL’s best offensive lineman. Wirfs made First-Team All-Pro for the second time in his career.
The 26-year-old is the first player in NFL history to be named First-Team All-Pro at both right tackle and left tackle.
Godwin and Wirfs were not placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start this season, meaning they can return at any point this season. If they were on the PUP list, they would have had to miss at least the first four weeks of the season.
Both players could return to game action soon. However, it’s unlikely either will play Tampa’s Week 2 game against the Houston Texans.
Tampa Bay Coming Off Huge Week 1 Win
Emeka really called game 👏 pic.twitter.com/yshPs6ArIW
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 10, 2025
Buccaneers first-round pick Emeka Egbuka wasted no time making an impact on offense.
The rookie finished with four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 25-yard touchdown with 59 seconds remaining. The Bucs won the game 23-20.
Baker Mayfield continued to show why he’s been one of the best passers in the league since arriving in Tampa with an impressive performance. Mayfield completed 17 of 32 passes for 167 yards with three touchdowns.
Tampa’s defense was the real story. While Falcons’ quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 298 yards, the Falcons’ rushing attack, led by Bijan Robinson, only managed 69 rushing yards.
The Falcons had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed the game-tying 44-yard field goal to seal the win for the Bucs.
In Week 2, the Bucs (1-0) travel to Houston to play the Texans (0-1) on Monday Night Football at 7 p.m. ET.
