The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have stayed competitive this season despite a string of injuries to key players. Among the most significant absences has been six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans, who has been sidelined since suffering a broken collarbone in Week 7 and subsequently being placed on injured reserve.
With the four-week IR window now passed and no activation yet, fears have grown that Evans could be done for the year. But recent reports offer a more optimistic outlook, suggesting the veteran wideout could return in time to help fuel Tampa Bay’s playoff push.
When Will Mike Evans Return to Action?
A hamstring strain suffered during Week 3 kept Evans sidelined for three games before his brief return. His comeback arrived in the team’s Week 7 Monday Night Football contest against Detroit at Ford Field.​
The return proved fleeting as disaster struck in the second quarter. A collision with Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin on a deep pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield resulted in a broken collarbone. Landing shoulder-first before his head struck the ground, Evans suffered the devastating injury.​
Evans was placed on injured reserve shortly after the injury and has not yet returned to practice. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported in October that Evans was expected to miss “eight weeks or fewer,” placing his potential return between Weeks 12 and 16.
Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, reporting around the same time, said, “The hope for Evans’ broken clavicle is a recovery timetable of 6-8 weeks, likely on the longer side of that. That would get him back at the end of the regular season and for the playoffs.”
With Week 12 approaching and no updates from the team, all signs suggest Evans’ rehab is progressing as expected. The 32-year-old is reportedly targeting a December return, with Week 14 representing the realistic activation date based on this timeline, potentially allowing a late-December ramp-up toward the postseason if progress continues.​
Evans opened the year chasing history, having recorded 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons, an NFL record to start a career, and tied with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the longest streak overall. However, through four games this season, he has totaled just 140 yards and one touchdown, making it highly unlikely that the streak will continue in 2025.
In Evans’ absence, the Buccaneers have leaned on rookie Emeka Egbuka and tight end Cade Otton to fill the void. Mayfield has spread the ball around more, but the offense has lacked Evans’ size, physicality, and vertical threat.
Tampa Bay is 6–4 and holds a half-game lead over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. The offense has been inconsistent, ranking 17th in the league with a PFSN Offense Impact Score of 73.4.
After facing the Rams in Week 12, the Buccaneers will take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 and the New Orleans Saints in Week 14. If Evans returns by Week 15, he could be available for a critical closing stretch that includes two matchups against the Panthers.
