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    • When will Mike Evans return? Latest injury updates on Buccaneers WR
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    When will Mike Evans return? Latest injury updates on Buccaneers WR

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    The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been hamstrung by injuries in 2024 and Mike Evans’ hamstring injury is no exception.

    Tampa has been without Chris Godwin for the rest of the season and is now living without some of its most recognizable stars. However, unlike Godwin, Evans should return this season. After leaving during the team’s “Monday Night Football” game against the Baltimore Ravens, the receiver has been sidelined ever since.

    Evans played a key role in the Buccaneers’ offense, scoring six touchdowns in seven games. Between Evans and Godwin, it has left a big void in the team’s offense, causing Baker Mayfield to start trusting some inexperienced players. Here’s a look at how long life without Evans will last for the Buccaneers.

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    When will Mike Evans return?

    While there is no clear timeline for Evans’ return, it is notable that Tampa opted not to place him on injured reserve. That would have taken him out of four games and set the earliest possible return in Week 13 against the Panthers.

    Instead of holding off the receiver until December, the Bucs hope to get Evans back a week early against the New York Giants in Week 12. Head coach Todd Bowles described the injury as a “moderate” hamstring strain.

    This injury is nothing new for Evans, who has experienced more than his fair share of hamstring issues over the years. He missed two practices prior to Week 7 with the injury before logging a limited session on Saturday and playing on Monday. The problem occurred in Tampa’s game against New Orleans in Week 6 and only got worse over time.

    If Evans were to return after the team’s bye in Week 11, he will have missed games against the Falcons, Chiefs and 49ers.

    It should be noted that while Evans is no stranger to the injury report, missing games is not typically something we see from him. The 31-year-old was a constant on the field for the Bucs, missing more than two games only once in his first ten seasons.

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    When was Mike Evans’ injury?

    Evans suffered his injury on “Monday Night Football” against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.

    The recipient was already tempting fate and still chose to adapt. He left the second quarter with about seven minutes left. He hauled in one of three targets for 25 yards and a touchdown.

    However, nothing seemed particularly strange about the piece. Mayfield pulled one up for the end zone and Evans was dragged down as the ball slipped through his hands. At that point he rolled over in obvious pain and clutched the bothersome hamstring. He left the field under his own power.

    Buccaneers WR depth chart

    With Mike Evans in the near future, here’s what the Buccaneers depth chart looks like at wide receiver:

    Without Evans and Godwin, the Bucs are down to five receivers on their 53-man roster. Jalen McMillan is the most likely option to see the bulk of the receiving workload, but there is no clear top option among these five. Injuries have meant a shift in philosophy for the team.

    In the aftermath, Mayfield targeted Cade Otton 20 times between Weeks 7 and 8. The tight end has quickly gained his quarterback’s trust, while the three-headed monster of running backs picks up the slack elsewhere. Liam Coen’s offense consists of deploying Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker in both the rushing and receiving roles, which could make Tampa a tough offense to defend when Evans returns.

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