Who Should I Start? Chris Godwin or Mecole Hardman

Monday, October 13, 12:47 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that wide receiver Chris Godwin (leg) is not in play to return for the team's Week 7 Monday night contest versus the Detroit Lions, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Godwin didn't make his 2025 debut until Week 4 after recovering from a dislocated ankle last year, and he was only able to play in two games before suffering a fibula injury that kept him sidelined in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. It appears Godwin is going to miss a second game, too. With rookie Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) getting hurt on Sunday, and Mike Evans (hamstring) still out, the Bucs could be down to Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson, and Tez Johnson as their starters in three-wide sets in Week 7. If Godwin doesn't play next Monday night, his next chance to return would come in Week 8 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints.

Tuesday, August 26, 1:11 PM

The Green Bay Packers are releasing wide receiver Mecole Hardman on Tuesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Despite the Packers dealing with multiple injuries to their receiving corps in training camp, the Packers will move on from Hardman, who was looking to secure a depth role with the Packers after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. In his six NFL seasons, the 27-year-old pass-catcher has caught 178 of hi 258 targets for 2,302 yards and 16 touchdowns in 80 regular-season games (28 starts). Hardman also has plenty of special-teams experience and should be able to find work with another team for his versatility and speed during the 2025 season. Last year in 12 regular-season games (no starts) with KC, Hardman caught just 12 passe for 90 yards and no scores.