The Tampa Bay Buccaneers most recently dropped a 24-9 game against the Detroit Lions, but most attention from fans was not centered on the loss on the scoreboard. Instead, it was focused on a key roster loss for Tampa Bay.
Wide receiver Mike Evans sustained a broken clavicle/collarbone and concussion in the second quarter. He was carted to the locker room after Detroit cornerback Rock Ya-Sin tackled him on a deep pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield. What’s the latest on Evans’ status?
What’s the Latest Update on Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans’ Status?
Evans was down for several seconds after the play, grimacing but ultimately motionless while Mayfield stared on in disbelief. Multiple teammates huddled around him before Evans was tended to by the athletic training staff.
After the game, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that Evans suffered a broken collarbone. While the initial reports stated that Evans would be out for most or all of the season, Tampa Bay got some good news on Wednesday.
Testing revealed that Evans suffered a clean break, so the Buccaneers are now expecting him to return in “eight weeks or less,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This would mean that Evans can return by December and be back to 100% for the playoffs, which is huge for a Buccaneers team that’s looking to contend.
This lines up with the recent report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who also provided an optimistic update on Evans’ return timeline. “The initial timeline for Bucs WR Mike Evans’ broken clavicle injury is 6–8 weeks, per sources,” Schultz wrote on X. “There’s hope he’ll be able to return before the end of the season.”
Evans is the most decorated offensive player in Tampa Bay history. He was making his return after missing three games due to a hamstring strain from Week 3.
This latest injury ends Evans’ record streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He is just the first player in NFL history to open his career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons — no one else in league history has more than six in a row.
Had he done so again in 2025, it would have broken Jerry Rice’s record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history. Mayfield has said that despite Evans likely being out for the rest of the season, he knows the WR will find other ways to help the team.
“I mean, obviously, for the team, it’s not great,” said Mayfield after the game. “But, for him, I hate it. From seeing him work each day in person, whether he’s healthy or hurt, just how he attacks each day, it just sucks. You never like to see that, whether it’s a teammate or not, but especially when it’s Mike.
“Unfortunate, but guys [will be] trying to step up and play for him … but Mike’s a professional. He’ll handle it the best way he possibly can. Being injured and not being able to play is one thing, but I know Mike will be there and support the guys no matter what.”
The Buccaneers currently have an offense ranked at No. 18 overall on the season, according to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
Tampa Bay is now 5-2 on the year so far. Evans tallied 140 receiving yards and one touchdown this year across 14 receptions — he moves to 12,824 total receiving yards on his career in addition to 106 touchdowns.
