Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans missed Thursday’s practice and is dealing with a hamstring injury and possibly a knee injury. Evans caught Baker Mayfield’s first pass in New Orleans and seemed excited about the play. In the Bucs’ 51-27 win over the Saints, he caught two passes for 34 yards on the first drive, but his next catch was a record despite being targeted five more times during the game. I couldn’t.
“He made some tweaks to his foot,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday. “He didn’t practice today. He’s getting better. Let’s see how this week goes.”
Evans remained in Sunday’s game, but didn’t run in the second half as fellow receiver Chris Godwin caught 11 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns as his team outscored the Saints 27-0. The Bucks didn’t need him as the game took over. Tampa Bay finished the game with 277 yards rushing and a franchise-record 594 yards of total offense.
Mike Evans deals with lingering knee injury and hamstring injury
Bucks WR Mike Evans Photo courtesy of USA Today
When asked, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans If he suffers a new injury after Sunday’s opening catch, or if he suffers a new injury in New Orleans, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said it will “keep bothering me.”
Evans was listed on the injury report with knee and calf injuries in Week 5 before Thursday night’s game in Atlanta, but he ultimately appeared in the game against the Falcons, which the team lost 36-30. He recorded two touchdown catches in the first half of overtime.
The Bucks have already had some extra time off this week, and the team’s next game will be against the visiting Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. Even if Evans is unable to practice on Friday or Saturday, he could still play as the game is not until Monday night, giving him additional time to rest, recover and rehabilitate.
Evans is a strong-willed competitor and typically plays through injuries. The fact that he is slow to reach 1,000 yards receiving this season That could be motivation for him heading into Monday’s game against the Ravens. Evans is tied for the NFL lead with teammate Chris Godwin with five touchdown catches this season. But through six games, he has just 25 catches for 310 yards (12.4 average) and is on pace to reach 878 yards receiving.
Godwin, who is in his contract year, leads Tampa Bay with 43 catches for 511 yards (11.9 average) and five scores.
