Godwin Returns but Buccaneers Lose 31-7 to Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin returned to the field on Sunday night after missing more than a month due to a fibula injury, but the team suffered a decisive 31-7 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 of the NFL season.

Godwin, who had played in just two games this year, suited up for the primetime matchup at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The 28-year-old receiver caught two of four targets for nine yards in a game where the Buccaneers managed fewer than 125 total offensive yards against a stout Rams defense. His limited production highlighted ongoing struggles for Tampa Bay's offense, ranked 17th in the league by advanced metrics measuring overall impact.

The Buccaneers entered the contest with a 6-4 record but on a two-game losing skid, desperate for a boost from their passing attack. Godwin's absence since Week 5 stemmed from the fibula injury sustained after brief returns in Weeks 4 and 5. He had initially missed the first three games of the 2025 season recovering from a dislocated left ankle that sidelined him for the final 11 contests of 2024. Despite the injury history, Tampa Bay extended Godwin a three-year, $66 million contract in the...