The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been no stranger to the injury bug this season: in fact, they may be the team that has suffered the most because of it.
But fear not Bucs fans, because head coach Todd Bowles delivered a very encouraging update on injured wide receiver Mike Evans this afternoon. As reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter, Bowles said that “it is a possibility” that Evans returns to practice this week.
Evans has missed the last five games with a broken collarbone, which he sustained in week seven against the Detroit Lions. That injury came in his first game back after missing three weeks with the eighth hamstring injury of his career.
No explanation is needed to emphasize how big it would be for Tampa to get a healthy Mike Evans back in the lineup; the guy has been in the NFL since 2014 and this is going to be the first season he doesn’t eclipse 1,000 receiving yards.
When Could Mike Evans Return to Game Action?
The early report on Evans’ collarbone injury was that it was roughly an eight week recovery process. We’re about six weeks removed from the injury as of Dec. 1, so it’s unlikely that he plays in week 14 against the Saints, or even the following week against Atlanta which is a TNF game, meaning a short week.
That mini-bye after the Atlanta game could be perfect for Evans though. If he can get three weeks of practice in ahead of the final three games of the season (two of which are against Carolina which is vying for the NFC South title) we could very well see a rejuvenated Evans returning at the perfect time.
Evans had just 14 catches for 140 yards in his four games played this season, but with a healed collarbone and a hamstring that hasn’t had any stress on it for two months, Evans could be poised to play a massive role in the Bucs run to the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Getting Healthy at the Perfect Time
Evans’ imminent return isn’t the only reinforcement the Buccaneers are getting as we have reached December. WR Chris Godwin and RB Bucky Irving have both returned from injury in the last two weeks, while WR Jalen McMillan is set to be activated from IR after suffering a neck injury during the preseason.
A fully healthy Buccaneers offense is the NFL’s worst nightmare. Not only is Mike Evans likely a future Hall-of-Famer, Godwin has also been a premier WR for a long time and rookie Emeka Egbuka has made a strong case to win offensive rookie of the year. Combine that with great quarterback play from Baker Mayfield and a strong RB duo with Irving and Rachaad White and this Tampa team could make waves in the playoffs.
It all depends on what kind of return all these injured players can give the team. Godwin has been slowly reintegrated into the offense in the last two games, while McMillan hasn’t played a game snap since last season.
If they’re fully healthy, the Bucs are the last team anyone wants to face in an elimination game.
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