The 2025 NFL season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers so far has been a testament to their resillience. Despite being ravaged by injuries up and down the roster, the team has maaged to pull through for victories, and start 5-1 for the best record in the NFC through six weeks. However, as the games have progressed, their situation has only turned bleaker by the minute.
One of the biggest blows came in the form of veteran superstar Mike Evans, whose hamstring issue kept him out for an extended period of time. Making his return against the Detroit Lions, his time in the game didn’t last for too long, as he remained on the field after a hard tumble trying to make a huge play to get back in the game.
What Happened to Mike Evans?
Entering his 12th season in the league, Evans already had a ton of wear and tear on his body, as hamstring injuries became a consistently nagging issue that he had to battle with.
This year was no different, as he came out of the game against the New York Jets for the same reason.
Mike Evans is injured on this play pic.twitter.com/Mmb2olV7ru
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 21, 2025
As he tried to make his return four weeks later, it unfortunately may not have amounted to much. Still without a reception or any yards to his name, he had a quiet start along with the rest of the Buccaneers offense, as they fell behind 14-0 before the break.
Evans was carted off to the locker room, and it was not a positive look for the Buccaneers star. As the broadcasted officially confirmed, he was designated with a shoulder injury alongside a concussion that ruled him out for the game, at a minimum.
Evans’ target per route rate this season is as high as it’s been in a decade, offering the verticality to this offense that has helped make Baker Mayfield so effective. In terms of a replacement option, Tez Johnson is the backup with the highest aDOT.
But, the injury is likely going to put more pressure on the recovery process of Emeka Egbuka. Evans is a unique player that can’t be directly replaced. Mayfield is having a career year in terms of pocket passer rating, a strength that weakens if the optionality in terms of target earner is lessened.
What Does Evans’ Injury Mean for Fantasy?
Unfortunately, we’ve already seen what the Bucs offense looks like without Evans. Emeka Egbuka is the WR1 with Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson behind him. The problem is Egbuka is clearly not 100% as he is playing through a minor hamstring strain of his own.
Egbuka was playing sporadically throughout the first half. With Evans likely done for the game, the rookie will have no choice but to step into a larger role than anticipated. Baker Mayfield will also lean on Cade Otton more.
If Evans has to miss time and Chris Godwin cannot return next week, the tight end would be the primary beneficiary and the second option in the passing game behind Egbuka. Currently, Otton ranks 30th in the league on PFSN’s TE Impact, but he has shown the ability to fare much higher, with a finish as high as 17th in 2024.
Tampa Bay may need that version of Otton back in the mix to ensure that the offense doesn’t ground to a complete standstill like it has against the Lions in the first half.
