Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans took part in some of Wednesday’s practice and plans to play on Sunday for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 7.
Evans and Chris Godwin (ankle) were both hurt in the same 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on October 21. Godwin, who leads the team with 50 receptions, is out for the season.
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said Evans looked good and is hopeful about returning to the lineup when the Buccaneers (4-6) face the New York Giants (2-8) this week.
“You guys know: Mike’s a pro. He’s going to do everything he can to get back out there with us and fight for this team as we take it one game at a time,” Mayfield said Wednesday.
Evans will return as the team’s leader with six touchdown receptions. However, his streak of 1,000-yard seasons over 10 years is in danger.
With 336 yards in 2024, he will need to average 95 yards per game in the last seven games.
“The streak, yeah, it’s important to us, but he cares about winning,” Mayfield said. “He’s a huge part of this offense when he’s there, so I think that’ll come naturally. But I’ve been in the situation where you’re trying to force-feed the ball to a guy and that’s not how this offense works especially.”
