Bucs fans gasped when star wide receiver Mike Evans limped off the field with 6:25 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Bucs’ eventual 29-27 win over the Jets. After an incomplete pass, Evans half jogged and half limped to the sideline and looked to be in a ton of anger because he was injured.
Evans got so infuriated at one point that he punched a cooler before heading to the tunnel. And once he got inside he threw off his helmet. The greatest offensive player in Bucs’ history did not return to the game. Evans wants to do everything he can to help the Bucs win and suffering a hamstring injury that might potentially keep him out of games doesn’t do anyone any favors.
Add in the fact that Evans is on the cusp of history trying to become the only player in NFL history with 12 straight seasons of 1,000 yards and it becomes an even bigger magnitude. Following the game head coach Todd Bowles said that it was a hamstring tweak and that more testing would be needed. When Bowles spoke to the media on Monday, there was a slight update, but a good update.
Bucs Get Some Positive News About Mike Evans
Although tests won’t be happening until Tuesday. It sounds like the Bucs have avoided the worst when it comes to Evans hamstring injury.
“He’s going to get an MRI tomorrow,” Bowles said. “Right now they deem it as low grade. But we’ll see when it comes out.”
Low grade is certainly better that what else it could have been. Hopefully Evans can avoid missing a game entirely or it at least isn’t out for too long.
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Mike Evans scored his first touchdown of the season for the Bucs early in the second quarter of their home opening win over the Jets. Quarterback Baker Mayfield hit Evans on a slant on first and goal where he beat Sauce Gardner for the touchdown. While he was targeted eight times, Mike Evans ended up with four catches for 33 yards and the score, bringing his season total of receiving yards to 140.
That puts him 860 yards away from the 1,000 yard goal with 14 games to go. He’d need to average 61.4 yarder per game moving forward for the rest of the season, but that number could climb higher if he were to miss some time. Defenses have been fixated on slowing down Evans, which has led to a great rookie start for Emeka Egbuka. With Chris Godwin Jr. still out, Evans becomes the primary focus and dictates coverage.
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today
There’s no doubt that Mike Evans is more than capable of having big games to bring that average yards per game down to a lower number. The Bucs just have to make sure that he doesn’t risk further injury that’ll keep him out longer. Evans tried to do so last season on Monday night football when playing through a hamstring injury. He got hurt scoring a touchdown and then missed the next three games.
Bowles is well aware of this, but isn’t comparing last season to this season. Each situation is different and it all depends on how Evans is feeling this week. His status won’t be dictated by the record he’s chasing or the availability of Godwin Jr., Egbuka and others.
“We proceeded with caution last go around,” Bowles said. “I don’t think it’s a this go around thing. It’s a matter of how he’s feeling. If he’s feeling well and 100 percent he’ll play, and if not he won’t.”
And if Mike Evans can’t go, expect a different looking offense.
“I don’t know if you can replace him,” Bowles said. “Other guys can do other things and we’re trying to tailor towards those type of things, but you can’t replace a Mike Evans.”