The NFL playoffs are rapidly approaching, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wideout Mike Evans may be nearing a return. The 32-year-old pass catcher has not had any game action since late October, when he sustained a fractured clavicle and a concussion.
With Tampa Bay narrowly clinging to the NFC South division lead, getting Evans back soon may be paramount.
Two Tampa Bay Receivers Could Return to the Field This Week
The Buccaneers’ wide receiver corps has hit the injury bug harder than arguably any other club in the NFL. With Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan all missing time, rookie Emeka Egbuka has needed to play inspired ball, which he has.
The Ohio State product may breathe a sigh of relief, though, as Godwin made his return last week, and now, Evans and McMillan could be next. McMillan has not played a snap this season since going down in a preseason tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, head coach Todd Bowles is optimistic that both he and Evans could return to practice this week.
NFL insider Adam Schefter released the report midday Tuesday. “Bucs HC Todd Bowles said “it’s a possibility” that Mike Evans could return to practice this week,” said Schefter.
There is no doubt that Tampa Bay is a different team with two of its primary receivers back in the lineup. With both looking to return to practice and potentially game action within a week or two, how impactful could their insertion be?
Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan Look To Provide Spark for Playoff Pushing Bucs
Early into the 2025 season, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield looked to be putting together an MVP-caliber season. This is due to an incredibly injured WR corps and still exquisite play from the gunslinger. While things may have partially tapered off, Mayfield and the Bucs remain a powerhouse in the NFC, especially when fully healthy.
In the absence of their top three receivers, Egbuka and fellow rookie Tez Johnson have performed nicely. Using PFSN’s WR Impact metric, we see Egbuka rank in the top 15 in two statistical categories: receiving yards (749) and receiving touchdowns (6). This places the 23-year-old in 12th and 7th place in those respective categories.
Similarly, Johnson’s five TDs rank him 11th in the league despite having just 37 targets on the season. With a clear emphasis on using his receivers in the red zone, Mayfield is no doubt eager to get Evans and McMillan back.
In his four games played in 2025, Evans has 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown. This means that barring an unheard-of final few weeks, the Texas A&M product’s historic streak of 11 seasons at 1,000+ receiving yards will come to an end.
Although his incredible Iron Man-esque streak will likely come to a close, Evans will undoubtedly be all in to help Tampa Bay reach yet another Super Bowl. That return could be as soon as Week 14.