Who Should I Start? Chris Godwin or Puka Nacua

Wednesday, October 22, 1:13 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday that wide receiver Chris Godwin (leg) will not be back this Sunday to take on the division-rival New Orleans Saints in Week 8, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Godwin got a late start to the 2025 campaign while recovering from a season-ending dislocated ankle that he suffered in Week 7 of last year, and then suffered a fibula injury that will now keep him out for a third straight game. In addition to Godwin's injury, Tampa lost future Hall of Fame wideout Mike Evans (collarbone) for most of the rest of the season when he fractured his clavicle in Monday night's loss to the Lions. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Godwin will be keeping their fingers crossed that he'll be able to return after next week's bye to take on the New England Patriots in Week 10. With Evans now potentially out the rest of the year, Godwin figures to be heavily involved in the passing attack next to rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka whenever he returns.

Monday, October 27, 3:17 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (ankle) is expected to practice on Wednesday and play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, according to head coach Sean McVay. Nacua injured his left ankle in the Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens and was held out for the team's Week 7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The Rams were on their bye in Week 8, and it sounds like Nacua has made enough progress to be able to return this weekend against the Saints. If he is active, fantasy managers need to get the second-year wideout back into all starting lineups. Even with one fewer game played than many of the other receivers in the league, Nacua ranks as the WR5 in half-PPR scoring with 54 receptions on 65 targets for 616 yards and two touchdowns through six games played in 2025. Even with Davante Adams in town, quarterback Matthew Stafford looks Nacua's way more often than not when he drops back to pass.