The Facts: Speaking Monday to reporters, Godwin said he’s simply not ready to process — or ponder or predict — when he’ll next suit up in a game for the team that signed him to a three-year deal for a reported $60 million. “I don’t have (a timetable) in mind quite yet,” said Godwin, who was lost for the rest of the 2021 season after tearing his right ACL and spraining the MCL in a 9-0 loss to the Saints on Dec. 19.

Diehards Line: Godwin continued: “Thankfully, this is my only time that I’ve gone through this, so I’m not really sure what those kind of timelines look like. ... It’s a long process, and I feel like when you start projecting real far into the future, it can be a bit daunting. ...” Saying he’s “pleased with the (rehab) process so far,” Godwin arrived at his joint news conference with general manager Jason Licht with no crutches and no limp. While the length of ACL recoveries clearly are dependent on a number of variables, the general timetable for NFL players is eight or nine months, which would make Godwin iffy for the regular season opener. That said, Time staffer Joey Knight contends the Bucs’ willingness to craft a long-term deal with Godwin (after initially applying the franchise tag to him a second consecutive season) despite his knee injury reinforced a level of trust between player and franchise already forged by five solid seasons. ... We'll be following Godwin's rehab closely as the season draws nearer.