When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin to a torn ACL last December, it was a massive blow to their chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
Little more than a year later, Godwin is taking a 100-catch, 1,000-yard season into the postseason.
Despite suffering such a serious knee injury, Godwin crushed his entire rehab and recovery process, which came as no surprise to anyone who has spent time anywhere near the former third-round pick out of Penn State.
Godwin missed the end of last year’s regular season, as well as the Bucs’ two playoff games, but was back in the starting lineup for Week 1 this year against the Dallas Cowboys.
Just the second player in Bucs history to catch 100 passes in a single season (Keyshawn Johnson), Godwin bagged his third 1,000-yard campaign in six years, despite coming off an injury that could have easily forced him to miss significant time this year.
Fellow Pro Bowl pass-catcher Mike Evans noted last week that Godwin should be up for NFL Comeback Player of the Year:
"He should be up for [AP] Comeback Player of the Year."
🗣️: @MikeEvans13_ on @CGtwelve_ pic.twitter.com/GMSh3Yo3ca
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 5, 2023
In his weekly film session, Bucs legend RondĂ©Â Barber illustrated why Evans’ assertion is spot-on:
"@CGtwelve_ probably should be getting some consideration for [AP] Comeback Player of the Year." –@rondebarber
🗣️🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/0roN6IYmhy
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 11, 2023
It might be hard for Godwin to beat out Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith for that award this year, but if he does, it’ll be warranted.
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