Is Chris Godwin playing Sunday night? Fantasy injury update for Chiefs-Buccaneers Sunday Night Football

Matt Lutovsky

Is Chris Godwin playing Sunday night? Fantasy injury update for Chiefs-Buccaneers Sunday Night Football image

Chris Godwin has been a tough own for fantasy football owners in 2022, either being "questionable" or "out" every week so far. Heading into the Buccaneers' Week 4's Sunday Night Football showdown with the Chiefs, we're once again wondering if Godwin is playing, as he's  slated to be a dreaded "game-time decision." Given the late kickoff coupled with Godwin's high floor and ceiling, fantasy owners will be desperate for the latest injury updates prior to locking in their start 'em, sit 'em decisions.

We'll continue to update this article with news on Godwin up until the official active/inactive report comes out on Sunday around 6:50 p.m. ET.

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WEEK 4 INJURY UPDATES:
Running backs | Pass-catchers | Julio

Is Chris Godwin playing Sunday night? 

UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that the Bucs are "optimistic" that Godwin will play, but no decision will be made until after he tests his hamstring in warmups.

UPDATE 2: Godwin is officially ACTIVE.

Godwin (hamstring) has had a tough start to the season. After recovering all offseason from an ACL tear, he tweaked his hamstring in the first half of Week 1's game in Dallas. He hasn't played since, but after getting in limited practice sessions on Wednesday and Friday this week, Godwin has a chance to suit up on Sunday night against Kansas City. Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said on Friday that Godwin would be a "game-time decision."

SNF DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

There are obvious worries about Godwin if he plays. He might see fewer snaps than usual, and there's always the enhanced possibility he exits early again because of injury. That said, if Godwin is active, he's extremely tough to sit. Even in Week 1, he was on his way to a good game with three receptions for 35 yards, and we know he's going to be busy in Tampa's offense. Last season, he saw 9.1 targets per game. Even if that drops a bit on Sunday, Godwin should have a solid showing against a Chiefs' defense that's allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to WRs.

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

If Godwin is out again, that would mean more targets for Mike Evans and Russell Gage, who shined last week with 12 catches for 87 yards and a score. If Julio Jones (knee) plays, he would have WR3 upside, but he's a game-time decision in his own right. If both Godwin and Jones are out (in addition to Breshad Perriman, who's already been ruled "doubtful" because of knee and hamstring issues), either Cole Beasley or Scotty Miller could have legit value, but given questions over who would see more targets, it's tough for season-long owners to trust either unless they're desperate. If anything, TE Cameron Brate could once again see an uptick in targets, but he's merely a TD-or-bust desperation play right now. 

WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

The question, as always, is whether Godwin is worth waiting for. It's a tough call, but since it looks like he's slightly more on the "probable" side of "questionable," you can probably wait depending on your other options. If Godwin is scratched, you have a few widely available pivots, including Gage (42-percent owned in Yahoo leagues), Mecole Hardman, Marques Valdes-Scantling (if he plays through his abdomen injury), Skyy Moore (if MVS is out), Miller, Beasley, Jauan Jennings, and Ben Skowronek. The latter part of that group is extremely risky, so assess your matchup and choices to decide if waiting for Godwin is the right play for you.

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.