Tampa Bay is set to welcome back its all-time leading receiver just as their season reaches a critical juncture.
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is set to return for Sunday’s game against the Giants after sitting out three games due to a hamstring injury, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on NFL GameDay Morning.
“My understanding is he performed exceptionally well in practice and is expected to be fully active today,” Rapoport shared. “However, he might not see his usual number of snaps as they ease him back into action. In terms of speed and athleticism, he appears to be back to his usual self, which is great news for the Bucs as they’re in desperate need of a win.”
Coach Todd Bowles noted earlier in the week that Evans was on track to play, but fans can still breathe a sigh of relief. The star receiver had only one full practice, flanked by two limited sessions, and headed into the weekend listed as questionable.
His return for the team’s crucial stretch run is significant both for the team as a whole and for his personal contributions.
Tampa Bay is in a much tougher position now than when Evans last played, a Week 7 loss to the Ravens that he exited early, marking the beginning of a four-game losing streak.
Now sitting at 4-6, the Buccaneers have dropped to the 11th seed in the NFC. Despite the slump, they’ve battled fiercely in their last three games, losing each by just one possession — including an overtime loss to the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs.
Evans, with 26 catches for 335 yards this season, still leads the team in touchdown receptions with six. Additionally, while it may not be the primary focus, he has the opportunity to achieve a significant NFL milestone.
Evans currently holds the record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start a career, with 10. While adding another to tie the legendary Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons overall may be challenging, it’s still within reach.
To reach the milestone, Evans would need to average 95 yards per game over the Buccaneers’ final seven contests. This is significantly higher than his career average of 74.6 yards per game and nearly double his current season average of 47.9 yards.
Nonetheless, the Buccaneers will undoubtedly look to Evans, and they may need a strong stretch from him to stay in playoff contention. He’s expected to step back into the role of Baker Mayfield’s top receiver, forming a potent threat alongside tight end Cade Otton and versatile running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving.
If Evans and the Buccaneers can build momentum, the schedule offers a chance for a season-saving run: six of their remaining seven games are against teams with seven or more losses.
The first of those games is against the Giants (2-8) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
