Bucs general manager Jason Licht addressed the media and discussed more than the team’s interest in veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, whom Tampa Bay looks to sign after his visit on Tuesday. Licht also provided a status update on wide receiver Chris Godwin, left tackle Tristan Wirfs and defensive tackle Desmond Watson – all of whom are not practicing in camp.
Godwin and Wirfs were placed on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list due to injuries. Godwin suffered a seriously dislocated ankle in last year’s Week 7 loss to Baltimore. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles stated this offseason that he was hopeful that Godwin could be ready for Week 1, but that doesn’t seem possible given the fact that Godwin has yet to do any running or cutting outside on the practice field yet.
Wirfs sustained an MCL sprain that caused him to miss a game and a half of action, but he returned to play in the final seven games and had an All-Pro and Pro Bowl season. Wirfs had surgery in July because his knee never fully healed over the winter and spring and he could miss the first four games of the season.
Bucs GM Jason Licht Discusses Chris Godwin’s Progress, Emeka Egbuka
When asked if it was possibly that wide receiver Chris Godwin could start the year on the PUP list, which would cause him to miss the first four games of the 2025 season, Bucs general manager Jason Licht indicated it was too soon to tell.
“That we don’t know yet,” Licht said. “He’s doing very well. He’s advancing through his protocols. He’s exactly where they anticipated and hoped he would be at this point, but he still has a ways to go.”
Bucs WR Chris Godwin and WRs coach Bryan McClendon – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs have a great insurance policy in rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, who has drawn comparisons to Godwin – even from Licht himself. Egbuka, a first-round pick out of Ohio State, has been practicing in the slot in place of Godwin and has had a sensational training camp thus far.
“He’s everything that we’ve thought – plus some,” Licht said. “It’s always good when that’s the impression – when a player exceeds your expectations. We’re very very excited about him.”
Bucs GM Jason Licht Has An Update On Tristan Wirfs, Discusses Charlie Heck
As for left tackle Tristan Wirfs, he was seen last week walking around without a knee brace or even a sleeve over his knee, and at times carrying his crutches rather than using him on the practice field. The Bucs are holding out hope that Wirfs could heal faster than expected and perhaps avoid starting the 2025 season on PUP and maybe only miss a game or two – depending on how much progress he makes over the next month with his rehab.
“He’s doing an excellent job,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said. “We just have to be careful here and not push him out there too early. I’m sure we’ll put him through a battery of tests before we actually deem him fit to play – I’m sure his doctors will. We just want to be careful with that one because he’s a cornerstone player for us and we don’t want to put him out there too soon. But he’s doing an excellent job.”
Bucs OT Charlie Heck and OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Licht said that the team is happy with the addition of very swing tackle Charlie Heck, who was signed this offseason when last year’s backup tackle, Justin Skule, signed with Minnesota. Heck has been getting every start at left tackle dating back to the OTAs in Wirfs’ absence.
“I think Charlie is doing a very nice job there at left tackle,” Licht said. “He’s getting a lot of reps against quality people and that’s going to benefit all of us when the regular season comes. Happy with him.
“He’s what we thought he was, which is very solid and what we were looking for at that position when we lost Skule. I don’t think we’ll miss a beat. Obviously he’s not Tristan Wirfs, but in terms of what we were looking for a swing tackle that could step in and play a couple of games.”
Licht said that the Bucs front office is always on the look out for offensive tackle help and brought in veterans George Fant and Chris Hubbard for workouts but didn’t elect to sign either one.
“Still monitoring it and always looking to see what’s out there in terms of backups, in terms of who might be able to help us, who might be able to help us on the practice squad compared to what we have,” Licht said. “We like all of our guys. We’re still monitoring it. There are some notable names. We have to be careful about not adding names and adding somebody that can actually help us.”
Desmond Watson Is Not Ready To Practice Yet
As for 400-plus-pound rookie defensive tackle Desmond Watson, who began training camp on the NFI (non-football illness) list due to his obesity, he has yet to practice with the team because he has not lost enough weight to don a helmet and pads in the hot and humid training camp conditions in August in Tampa, Fla. Bucs general manager Jason Licht was tight-lipped regarding Watson’s progress.
“We have some milestones that we want him to hit before we get him out there,” Licht said. “He’s doing a solid job getting there. That’s all I’ll say.”
