Mike Evans injury update: Buccaneers WR 'hopefully' returns in Week 12 after bye

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans suffered an injury in Week 7 and has not played since. The star wide receiver's absence has been a significant blow to Tampa Bay's offense.

The Buccaneers lost Chris Godwin for the remainder of the season on the same night in Week 7. After leaving during the team's "Monday Night Football" game against the Baltimore Ravens, the receiver has been sidelined ever since.

Evans scored six touchdowns in seven games before suffering his hamstring injury. The loss of Godwin and Evans over the last month has been difficult to overcome for the team's offense. Baker Mayfield will be eager for the return of his veteran receiver.

Here's the latest on Mike Evans injury and potential return for Week 12 after the bye:

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When will Mike Evans return?

The Buccaneers elected against placing Evans on injured reserve following Week 7. That would've kept him out of four games and his earliest possible return on Week 13 against the Panthers. Tampa Bay is on a bye in Week 11, affording Evans one more week to recover.

The Bucs hope to get Evans back against the New York Giants in Week 12, and Evans sounds determined to make that happen.

According to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com, Evans said he is optimistic that he'll return in Week 12. On Saturday, Nov. 9, Evans spoke to reporters.

"Obviously, everybody knows the competitor that I am, and they know I want to be out there with my team and help us win ballgames," Evans said. "But I can't rush it, and I'll be back when I'm back, and hopefully that'll be after the bye week and I'll be myself,"

Outside of placing Evans on Injured Reserve, they have taken an extremely cautious approach with the 31-year-old wide receiver. Evans suggested it "would have been close" for him to play in Week 10 against the 49ers if he had pushed for it. However, as things stand, Evans aims to return after the bye in Week 12.

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When was Mike Evans' injury?

Evans suffered his injury on "Monday Night Football" against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.

Evans had been dealing with a tweak in his hamstring entering the matchup, but he opted to try to play through it, and the decision backfired. He exited with about seven minutes left in the second quarter. He hauled in one of three targets for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Mayfield threw a pass down the seam to Evans in the end zone, and the defender dragged him down as the ball slipped through his hands. Evans remained on the ground in obvious pain, grabbing at the pulled hamstring. He walked off the field under his own power but never returned.

Bucccaneers WR depth chart

Here's how the Buccaneers depth chart has looked at wide receiver since Mike Evans' injury:

• Sterling Shepard

• Jalen McMillan

• Trey Palmer

• Rakim Jarrett

• Ryan Miller

Without Evans and Godwin, the Bucs have five healthy receivers on their 53-man roster. Jalen McMillan is the likeliest option to step into Godwin's role upon Evans' return.

Mayfield has heavily targeted tight end Cade Otton over the last three games. Liam Coen's offense is deploying running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving to help the passing game

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Evans injury update: Will Buccaneers WR return Week 12?