Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin says he'll be game-time decision but 'grateful' for progress from knee injury

play

Speaking publicly for the first time since returning to practice last month, Chris Godwin said Thursday that he will be a game-time decision in the season opener.

In the 15th week of last season, he tore his right knee and was out for the rest of the year.

Godwin didn't have a definitive answer. I'm very thankful to be out there right now.

After the injury, he underwent surgery to repair the damage. He practiced with his teammates on the 5th. He started working on 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work in August.

"I think it's a lot of work," he said. You don't know how you're going to feel after a major injury. I have been doing great. I'm out there practicing. I've been doing a lot of things and it's different every day. What it comes down to is, one, how I'm feeling, and then two, the discussions I've had with the training staff. I think everyone will know when the time is right, but I'm not certain.

His knee brace was removed this week, which he called "phenomenal." He did not practice on Thursday despite being listed as a full participant in the previous day's practice.

It's just trying to be as smart as possible. The competitor would like to go as soon as possible. It gets to me that I wasn't there for the end of the season. I have to be as smart as I can, trying to back the best decision, not just for myself, but what I think will help the team most down the stretch.

I think anyone that has ever worn a knee brace knows how bulky it can be. It just speaks to where I am in my process and how far I've come.

"We have a loaded room of receivers that can go at every level of the field, and that's what we brought in," said Godwin. The running back and tight end rooms are filled with talented guys. We're not missing anything. I think that helps me in my process by allowing me to wait until I feel good enough to play.

The timetable for Godwin's recovery will be determined by him and the medical staff, neither of which has committed to a specific time frame. If it meant that Godwin could return at full strength and keep his health, he would rather wait and come back later in the season.

We want him well, but the games count the same. He doesn't want him out there before it's time. If he's healthy and ready to go and everyone feels he's ready to go, then you take your shot. I would prefer him to sit.

He has to navigate his way through traffic when he lines up in the slot in this offense.

"Wherever I go, I feel really confident in where I'm at and in my ability to not only play, but to be able to take whatever hits I need to play," he said. Football is a violent game and you can't avoid it. It's the right time for me to go out there and play if I have the confidence in myself.