It’s not all bad news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ pass-catching corps. Ahead of the team’s Week 7 bout with the Detroit Lions under the primetime lights of “Monday Night Football,” there appears to be a sense of optimism that Mike Evans will be back in the lineup.
The 32-year-old wideout returned to practice on Thursday in a limited capacity for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury against the New York Jets on Sept. 21. Through three games to begin his 12th season in the league, Evans has recorded 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown. He’s surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons in the league.
Mike Evans Injury Update for Week 7
Entering Week 7, the Buccaneers, were one of just two five-win teams in the league, desperately need reinforcements to keep their high-powered offense rolling.
Evans should be returning, but Tampa Bay might have to navigate without rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka, their first-round pick this past spring and a front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Egbuka suffered a hamstring injury last week and was initially expected to miss several weeks. However, he returned to practice on Thursday and is now a game-time decision for the matchup against the Lions. The team is also without Chris Godwin, who came back for just two games following last year’s dislocated ankle before injuring his fibula.
Running back Bucky Irving is sidelined with foot and shoulder injuries, leaving No. 2 tailback Rachaad White to carry the load in the Buccaneers’ ground game. With so many key players sidelined, it’s no surprise that Baker Mayfield is relieved at the prospect of Evans’ return.
“It’s a good safety blanket,” Mayfield told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s nice to see him out there.”
Evans did not practice on Friday. However, there was nothing to worry about, as Buccaneers insider Greg Auman confirmed that the star receiver did not face a setback.
“Bucs receiver Mike Evans did not practice today, but that’s part of his weekly routine and doesn’t represent any kind of setback with his hamstring,” Auman wrote on X. “Still tracking well for Monday.”
Evans returned to practice on Saturday and, as Auman noted, was on track to play against the Lions. He was later officially listed as questionable for Week 7 and will be a game-time decision.
On Sunday, NFL insider Adam Schefter dropped an update on Evans’ status. “Despite both wide receivers being listed as questionable for Monday night’s game at Detroit, Mike Evans is likely to play and Emeka Egbuka has “a real chance to play” despite suffering a low-grade hamstring strain last Sunday, per sources,” he wrote on X. “Bucs will not decide on Egbuka’s status until pre-game warmups.”
#UPDATE: CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz has confirmed that Evans “is good to go and will play tonight” against the Lions.
Evans’ Return Should Create Opportunities for Others
Despite Evans’ return, the Buccaneers’ offense will lean on a trio of relatively inexperienced receivers.
Last week against the San Francisco 49ers, Kameron Johnson and Sterling Shepard led the way, while Tez Johnson hauled in a 45-yard catch for the first touchdown of his career. All three saw three or more targets in the passing game. Expect a similar approach against the Lions, particularly if Evans returns to the lineup.
“Mike draws a lot of attention, so you have to expect that,” said Mayfield. “Our coaching staff has done a great job with getting him isolated in one-on-one situations and getting him the rock. We have to take advantage of those opportunities, but also understand that the other side of it is when he does draw a lot of attention, guys have to step up and do their jobs at a high level.”
