The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a bit of an odd spot heading into Week 7 of the 2025 NFL campaign. On one hand, they are 5-1, which is tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the best record in the league. On the other hand, though, they are dealing with a handful of injuries to key playmakers, which is going to make it difficult for them to continue winning games at their current pace.
However, ahead of their upcoming action, the team has received a positive injury update on star wide receiver Mike Evans, as he returned to practice on Thursday as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury. With some encouraging signs beginning to emerge regarding Evans’ potential return to the field, head coach Todd Bowles provided an update on his status after the team’s latest practice.
Todd Bowles Addresses Mike Evans’ Injury Situation
Evans suffered a hamstring injury in the Buccaneers’ Week 3 win over the New York Jets, and after leaving the game early, he hasn’t suited up since then. Rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka has helped fill in for Evans in his absence, but with Egbuka now dealing with a hamstring injury of his own, that has put Tampa Bay’s wide receiver corps in an even worse position than it was already in.
Being with Jalen McMillan and Chris Godwin, who is dealing with a fibula injury that held him out of Week 6, has put Baker Mayfield in a bind under center. While he managed to get by without his top four wide receivers against a similarly beat-up San Francisco 49ers team last time out, he may not be able to sustain that sort of production for much longer.
With Egbuka and Godwin appearing likely to miss Week 7, that has made Evans’ return to practice all the more important for Tampa Bay. Bowles pumped the brakes when discussing whether or not he’d play in the Bucs’ upcoming game, but he made it clear the team is thrilled to have the veteran pass catcher back on the field.
“He was limited,” Bowles said of Evans when speaking to reporters. “He did some things very well. We’ve just got to monitor it throughout the week. But just to see him in a helmet right now, coming out there in a jersey and doing some of the things that he’s doing is very encouraging for us.”
Buccaneers May Need Mike Evans if They Want to Win in Week 7
GettyMike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Even if Mayfield has just Evans at his disposal, that could be all the Buccaneers’ offense needs to move the ball up and down the field. Mayfield has managed to make do with a unit that has been shorthanded from the get-go this season, so having Evans back at his disposal would be a luxury he’s not used to having.
Evans’ status is so important for the Bucs because they will be taking on the high-powered Detroit Lions in Week 7. While the Lions are fresh off a loss in Week 6, it came against the Kansas City Chiefs. As a result, Detroit is going to be very motivated to get back in the win column when they take the field for this game. With this game taking place on Monday Night Football, kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
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