The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting major reinforcements for their matchup against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs are both expected to play Sunday vs. the Eagles, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday.
Week 4 will mark the season debuts for Godwin and Wirfs.
Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7 of last season that required surgery, before undergoing a second procedure in the off-season.
The 29-year-old’s return comes at a key time for the Bucs, who lost fellow star wideout Mike Evans to a hamstring injury in Week 3. Second-year WR Jalen McMillan is also on the injured reserve with a neck injury, while rookie Emeka Egbuka has been dealing with a banged-up hip and groin.
Godwin, a 2017 third-round pick, has 579 catches for 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns in 111 career games. His best season came in 2019 after totalling 1,333 yards and nine scores while being selected to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro second-team.
He signed a three-year, $66-million extension in the off-season.
Meanwhile, Wirfs will anchor down the left side of a Tampa Bay offensive line that has been ravaged by injuries.
The 26-year-old has been one of the game’s best O-linemen since entering the league as a first-round selection in the 2020 draft. In five seasons, he’s been named a first-team All-Pro twice and has been to four Pro Bowls.
Wirfs underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in early July, but avoided the reserve/physically unable to perform list to begin the year, making him eligible to return before Week 5.
“I feel good,” Wirfs told the media on Thursday. “I have done a lot of conditioning, it sucks, but it feels good to be in a good spot physically.”
The star tackle also added he was “pain-free” for the first time in a while.
Starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was on the injury report with a right biceps injury, is also expected to play.
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