In Week 13 of the NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off against the Arizona Cardinals at 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, November 30.
The Buccaneers have been struggling lately, with a 6-5 record, and are fighting off the 6-6 Carolina Panthers for control of the NFC South. Part of their struggles is due to the loss of superstar wide receiver Mike Evans. Here’s an injury update and an estimated return date.
When Will Mike Evans Return?
In Week 7 of the NFL season, Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone and a concussion in the team’s 24-9 loss against the Detroit Lions. The injury would also end his streak of 11 1,000 receiving yard seasons in a row, considering the chances of him hitting it are near zero.
According to reports, the broken clavicle was a clean break, and Evans underwent surgery to repair the bone. With no setback, the reports conclude that recovery time will be about eight weeks.
Head coach Todd Bowles offered insight into Evans’ rehab, saying, “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.”
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The earliest possible return for Evans is Week 15, when the Buccaneers host the Falcons for Thursday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. EST on Amazon Prime Video on December 11. If not, then another possible return is a week later, when the team takes on the Carolina Panthers on December 21.
Before the injury in the Lions game, Evans was injured earlier in the season, which prevented him from playing from the end of September to the end of October. His first game back was that Lions game.
In four games this season, Evans has 14 receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown. According to PFSN’s WRi, his best week was Week 2 against the Houston Texans. In that game, he caught five passes on 11 targets for 56 yards. He received a C letter grade and an impact score of 76.7.
Evans is on the wrong side of age for a wide receiver, considering he turned 32 years old in August. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Buccaneers pushed him past their estimated return dates of December 11 and December 21 to ensure he is fully healthy. Especially for a guy who seems to be banged up a lot, he mustn’t get re-injured.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Insights for Week 13
Team: The Buccaneers finish with six games, with four against teams with a losing record and two games against the 6-6 Panthers.
QB: Teddy Bridgewater has not started a game since Week 17 of the 2022 season, when he was with the Dolphins.
Offense: Tampa Bay recorded an OFFi score of 61.2 (D-) against the Rams in Week 12. The Buccaneers have received a D+ or worse in three of the last five games.
Defense: The Buccaneers have graded at a D level the last two weeks against the Bills and Rams. Tampa Bay gave up 44 points against Buffalo and 34 against Los Angeles in two losses.
Fantasy: Baker Mayfield gets hurt, and Chris Godwin returns: Emeka Egbuka has hit 60 receiving yards in just one of his past six games, and the situation around him is trending away from him.