The losing streak is finally over. After three agonizing weeks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found their footing Sunday with a gritty 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. While running back Bucky Irving’s return provided the spark they desperately needed on the ground, the biggest news might be happening off the field.
With a crucial Week 14 matchup against the New Orleans Saints looming, head coach Todd Bowles just dropped a major hint about when fans can expect their superstar receiver back in the lineup.
When Will Mike Evans Return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Lineup?
The last time Tampa Bay saw Mike Evans, the situation was grim. During a rough 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 7, the 32-year-old receiver suffered a broken collarbone and a concussion. That devastating sequence didn’t just sideline him for weeks; it officially snapped his historic streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. While that milestone is gone, the focus has shifted entirely to getting him healthy for the stretch run.
Bowles previously offered a cautious outlook regarding Evans and teammates J-Mac and Kancey. In an update video, the coach explained, “All of them, J-Mac, Mike, and Kancey, have been working out and running, training hard, and working to get back. Sprint-wise, they are doing well, but other than that, we will have to see. I think they’ll all be back before the season’s out, but I just can’t tell you when.”
The timeline is finally becoming clearer regarding the team’s injured stars. When asked recently about receiver Jalen McMillan, Bowles shared that the receiver is nearing a return to practice. “He’s been running,” Bowles said. “It’s just a matter of him putting on the helmet and seeing where he has strength with his neck. He’ll start doing more this week, and we’ll see exactly what, whether it’s individual or whether certain [other drills] this week as well. But he will start moving around.”
Naturally, the conversation turned to Evans. When pressed on whether the star receiver would follow a similar ramp-up schedule, Bowles said simply, “That’s a possibility as well.” This potential return to practice is the positive signal fans have been waiting for, hinting that reinforcements could arrive just in time for the game against New Orleans.
Evans has endured a frustrating campaign, managing just four games due to his injuries. His stat line currently sits at 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown, resulting in a 68.4 score on PFSN’s WR Impact.
If he can suit up against the Saints, that production and the threat he poses to defenses, would be a massive addition to an offense looking to build on Sunday’s win.