The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season outlook grew bleaker after dropping their third straight game on Monday night, but a glimmer of optimism emerged from an unlikely source – the training room. Speaking publicly for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 7, star wide receiver Mike Evans told reporters he is hopeful to return to action following the team’s Week 11 bye.
“It’s extremely tough,” Evans admitted when asked about missing playing time. “Everybody knows the competitor that I am and they know I want to be out there with my team and help us win ball games, but I can’t rush it and I’ll be back when I’m back and hopefully that’ll be after the bye week and I’ll be myself.”
The upcoming contest against the San Francisco 49ers will mark the three-time Pro Bowler’s third consecutive missed game, equaling the most he has ever been sidelined for in a single season over his illustrious 11-year NFL career. While Evans acknowledged it “would have been close” for him to suit up in Week 10, he and the Buccaneers are wisely taking the long view with an eye toward a strong finishing kick to the regular season and a potential playoff push.
Injury Bug Bites Bucs’ Offensive Stars
Evans’ extended absence has been far from the only injury woe to befall Tampa Bay’s once-vaunted offense. Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin, who was tied for the league lead with five receiving touchdowns and pacing the NFL with 50 receptions through six weeks, suffered a dislocated ankle the same game Evans went down. Godwin has since been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, with a potential postseason return hinging on a swift and successful rehab.
“My heart was with Chris that game,” Evans said of Godwin’s misfortune. “He was having a phenomenal year. All-Pro season — one of our leaders goes down like that. That’s more what I was worried about because with a hamstring — I get those every year — so I was just worried about him really.”
Young Receivers Stepping Up
Despite the rash of injuries sapping the Buccaneers of their top playmakers, Evans remains encouraged by the development of the team’s young pass catchers thrust into larger roles. The veteran wideout praised the play of tight end Cade Otton, who has emerged as quarterback Baker Mayfield’s top target in recent weeks, along with receivers like Ryan Miller, who hauled in his first NFL touchdown catch to force overtime against Kansas City.
“They’re doing an amazing job and I’m happy that they’re giving these opportunities, even though it’s unfortunate how things went down with me and Chris. I’m happy that everybody’s getting opportunities to play because we have a fantastic roster and it’s starting to show when they get more opportunities, they make plays, so that’s good for them and I can’t wait to come help them win games.”
– Mike Evans on the Buccaneers’ young receivers
Leadership From The Sidelines
Even while sidelined by injury, Evans and Godwin have strived to remain active leaders for a young Buccaneers team facing adversity. Godwin has taken rookies like Jalen McMillan under his wing, even implementing a daily JUGS machine routine to hone his route running and pass catching skills. For Evans, leading by example with a diligent rehab regimen has been his primary focus.
“I just give advice when I can, motivate when it’s needed. But this team is super motivated. I mean, they just see me hitting my rehab hard and things like that. That does enough, and I want to be out there and helping them soon.”
– Mike Evans on his leadership role while injured
Stronger Than Ever in Week 12?
While the Buccaneers would assuredly prefer to have Evans on the field as soon as possible, rushing back one of the franchise’s cornerstone players could prove costly. By targeting Week 12 for his return, Evans affords himself ample time to not only recover from the hamstring ailment, but rebuild his conditioning to an elite level that could see the 29-year-old recapture the form that has made him one of the NFL’s most consistently productive wideouts for nearly a decade.
If Evans’ prediction comes to fruition, his first game back would be a road tilt against the New York Giants – the same opponent he was playing when he initially suffered the injury a little over a month prior. Motivation will certainly not be in short supply as one of the game’s fiercest competitors looks to reassert his dominance and help lead the Buccaneers back to playoff contention down the stretch.
