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When will Mike Evans return? Latest injury updates on Buccaneers WR

nick brinkerhoff, usa today
·4 min read

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are being hamstrung by their injuries in 2024 and Mike Evans' hamstring is no exception.

Already without Chris Godwin for the remainder of the season, Tampa is living life without some of its most recognizable stars. Unlike Godwin, however, Evans should return this season. After leaving during the team's "Monday Night Football," showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, the receiver has been sidelined ever since.

Evans has been a key piece to the Buccaneers' offense, scoring six touchdowns in seven games. Between Evans and Godwin, it has left a major void in the team's offense and forced Baker Mayfield to start trusting some inexperienced players. Here's a look at how long life without Evans will last for the Buccaneers.

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When will Mike Evans return?

While there isn't a clear timeline for Evans' return, it is notable that Tampa elected against placing him on injured reserve. That would've knocked him out of four games and made the earliest possible return Week 13 against the Panthers.

Instead of holding the receiver out until December, the Bucs will hope to get Evans back a week earlier against the New York Giants in Week 12. Head coach Todd Bowles described the injury as a "moderate" hamstring strain.

This injury is nothing new for Evans, who has experienced more than his fair share of hamstring issues over the years. He missed two practices prior to Week 7 with the injury before logging a limited session on Saturday and playing on Monday. The issue popped up in Tampa's game against New Orleans in Week 6 and only became worse over time.

If Evans were to return after the team's bye in Week 11, he will have missed games against the Falcons, Chiefs and 49ers.

It should be noted that while Evans is no stranger to the injury report, missing games is not typically something we see from him. The 31-year-old has been a constant on the field for the Bucs, missing more than two games just once in his first 10 seasons.

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When was Mike Evans' injury?

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

Already tempting the fates, the receiver opted to suit up anyway. He exited with about seven minutes left in the second quarter. He hauled in one of three targets for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Nothing looked particularly odd about the play, however. Mayfield lofted one up for the end zone and Evans was dragged down as the ball slipped through his hands. It was at that point that he rolled over in obvious pain, grabbing the pesky hamstring. He walked off the field under his own power.

Buccaneers WR depth chart

With Mike Evans out for the foreseeable future, here's how the Buccaneers depth chart looks at wide receiver:

Without Evans and Godwin, the Bucs are left with five receivers on their 53-man roster. Jalen McMillan is the likeliest option to see the bulk of the receiving workload, but there is no clear top option amongst those five. Injuries have represented a shift in philosophy for the team.

In the aftermath, Mayfield has targeted Cade Otton 20 times between Weeks 7 and 8. The tight end has quickly earned the trust of his quarterback, while the three-headed monster of running backs pick up the slack elsewhere. Liam Coen's offense is deploying Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker in both rushing and receiving roles, which could make Tampa a difficult offense to defend when Evans returns.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Mike Evans return? Latest injury updates on Buccaneers WR