If you’re going to hope against hope that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans returns from a broken collarbone this season, then you’d better hope the Buccaneers go on a playoff run for the ages.
Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud said on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast on October 21 that if Evans does return from a broken collarbone suffered in a 24-9 Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions, it would only be if the Buccaneers went on a deep playoff run.
“The Buccaneers have to win a playoff game to even consider it,” Stroud said. “And that will all depend on how he heals … to try and work his way back on the chance that he could, in fact, play in a Super Bowl or an NFC Championship Game or something like that.”
Typical recovery from a broken collarbone is somewhere between 3 to 4 months.
Evans suffered his injury on Monday, October 20. The NFC Championship Game is scheduled for January 25, 2026 — almost exactly 3 months from now — and Super Bowl LX will be played on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Buccaneers are currently 5-2 and have made the playoffs 5 consecutive seasons, including a Super Bowl win following the 2020 season.
Evans’ Injury Ended Hopes of NFL Record
When Evans fell to the turf at Detroit’s Ford Field after stretching out to try and grab a long pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield, there were any number of injuries it could have been.
It was Evans’ first game back after missing 3 games due to a hamstring injury — his second consecutive season missing 3 games due to a hamstring. Evans also smacked his head against the turf, which meant a possible concussion.
“(The Buccaneers training staff) was looking at his right shoulder, but seeing him getting carted off should let you know he’s in excruciating pain,” ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge said during the broadcast. “They are finally carting him off because he was just having so much trouble just getting off the field on his own … the official word from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is he is out with a concussion and a shoulder injury.”
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed the worst news possible shortly after the game.
“WR Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone and is out for most of the year, coach Todd Bowles announced,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on October 20. “Absolutely brutal.”
Evans’ injury also ends his pursuit of an NFL record 12th consecutive season with 1,000 receiving yards, breaking a tie between himself and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
Buccaneers Have Depleted Wide Receivers Room
Losing Evans is just more bad news for the Tampa Bay offense, which is already without standout wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (neck), with neither scheduled to return anytime soon.
Beyond that, 1,000 yard rusher and running back Bucky Irving has missed the last 3 games with a shoulder injury, starting right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke has been out since Week 2 with a foot injury — the same week starting guard Cody Mauch suffered a season ending knee injury.
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