The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in acton in Week 12 on the road against the New York Giants. Todd Bowles’ squad has dropped four straight, most recently a 23-20 loss to San Francisco in Week 10.
They’ve been without one of their top wide receivers, Mike Evans, since he aggravated a hamstring injury in Week 7 on “Monday Night Football” against the Baltimore Ravens. The Buccaneers have lost every game without him after he went on injured reserve.
But Evans could make his return to the field as early as this week. Here’s the latest on his status for Week 12.
Will Mike Evans play this week?
Yes. Evans was limited in practice on Wednesday, a full participant on Thursday, and limited again on Friday but said he will be good to go.
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He noted he probably should have sat out the matchup against the Ravens in Week 7, a game in which he left in the second quarter due to the hamstring injury.
Without him in the lineup, Tampa Bay’s had a slight drop off on offense. They haven’t scored 30 points after crossing that total five times in the seven games he started. The team’s also operating without their other top wide receiver, Chris Godwin, following his season-ending injury that also came against the Ravens.
When was Mike Evans injured?
Evans aggravated a hamstring injury in Week 7 in the second quarter of the Buccaneers’ “Monday Night Football” game against the Ravens when attempting to catch his second touchdown in the game.
He was noticeably impacted by his hamstring earlier in the game after catching a touchdown in the first quarter. This play sealed the deal for him to miss time.
Buccaneers WR depth chart
With Evans out of the lineup, here’s how the depth chart looks in Tampa Bay:
- Sterling Shepard
- Jalen McMillan
- Trey Palmer
- Rakim Jarrett
- Ryan Miller
The team also has Dennis Houston, Marquez Callaway and Tanner Knue signed to the practice squad.
In Evans’ absence, the passing game has emphasized tight end Cade Otton. He now leads the Buccaneers in targets this season with 70.
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