Tag: Evans

Bucs activate WRs Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan from IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan were activated from injured reserve on Wednesday and listed as questionable to play Thursday night against the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

Evans was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 22, two days after he broke his collarbone in the Buccaneers’ 24-9 loss to the host Detroit Lions.

McMillan, in turn, has been out since sustaining a neck injury during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 16.

Evans, 32, has 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown in four games this season. He had missed three earlier games with a hamstring injury.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection had a record-tying streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, a mark set by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice from 1986-96.

Drafted with the seventh overall pick by Tampa Bay in 2014, Evans is the franchise’s all-time leader in catches (850), receiving yards (12,824), touchdown receptions (106) and scoring (650 points).

McMillan, who turned 24 on Sunday, made a big impact last season after fellow wideout Chris Godwin was lost for the campaign in October. McMillan had seven touchdown receptions in the final five games as a rookie and totaled 37 catches for 461 yards and eight TDs in 13 games (12 starts).

Tampa Bay selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 draft out of Washington.

The Bucs waived defensive lineman C.J. Brewer and wide receiver Ryan Miller.

Brewer, 28, had four tackles and one-half sack in five games as a reserve this season. Miller, 25, had two receptions on four targets and one TD in 13 games (three starts).

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) lays on the turf after an injury against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Injury-ravaged Bucs place WR Mike Evans (collarbone) on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers formally placed receiver Mike Evans on injured reserve Wednesday, two days after he broke a collarbone that will reportedly require surgery later this week.

If the break was clean, Evans could return in eight weeks for a Week 16 game against the Carolina Panthers. It is also possible he could miss the rest of the regular season.

Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday he’s unsure whether Evans will return this season.

“It’s going to be touch and go,” Bowles said. “We’ll see as we get toward the end of the year. It’s definitely going to be the end of the year — hopefully it’s before that — if we get to the playoffs, we go from there. It may be in the playoffs. It depends on how it heals.”

Evans was hurt while trying to corral a deep throw from Baker Mayfield in the Buccaneers’ 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. He also sustained a concussion.

The injury will end an impressive streak. Evans has put together 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the all-time mark.

Evans has 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown in four games this season. He also missed three games with a hamstring injury.

Receiver Chris Godwin (fibula) and running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Godwin has played just two games this season, while Irving will miss his fourth straight.

Outside linebacker Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) was injured against the Lions and underwent an MRI exam. Although the severity isn’t yet known, Bowles said Reddick will miss some games.

Among other players who missed practice Wednesday were receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring), linebacker Lavonte David (knee/rib) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (toe). Mayfield (knee) was limited.

Tampa Bay promoted offensive lineman Michael Jordan from the practice squad to fill a roster spot and signed receiver Brandon Johnson to the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Bucs WRs Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka active at Detroit

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Ailing Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka received a green light to play Monday night at Detroit.

The participation of Egbuka was in greater doubt than the return of Evans, who last played four weeks ago in the Buccaneers’ 29-27 triumph over the New York Jets on Sept. 21.

Head coach Todd Bowles was unable to mask his optimism around Evans’ return after his first complete on-field workout this week.

Egbuka is leading the Bucs in catches (27), receiving yards (469) and receiving touchdowns (five). He was unable to finish last week’s game and was limited during his only practice day this week on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) walks to the locker room against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Buccaneers standout WR Mike Evans (hamstring) exits win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans sustained a hamstring injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 29-27 victory over the New York Jets and will reportedly undergo an MRI exam on Monday.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is hopeful the injury will turn out to be minor.

“So far it’s a hamstring tweak. I have not gone in to see the final details yet,” Bowles told reporters after Sunday’s win.

Evans came up lame after an incomplete pass in his direction with 6:22 remaining and hobbled off the field. He tossed his helmet aside and knocked over a cooler in frustration while on his way to the locker room.

Evans, 32, missed three games with a hamstring injury last season and has a history of hamstring ailments during his 12-year career.

Evans had just four catches for 33 yards against the Jets but did grab his 106th career touchdown reception. He stands ninth in NFL history.

The six-time Pro Bowler is the lone receiver in NFL history to begin a career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. He is also tied with the legendary Jerry Rice (1986-96) for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at any point of a career.

Evans has just 140 receiving yards through three games so an extended absence could put the streak in jeopardy.

But last season, Evans had just 335 yards in seven games when he when he sidelined. He returned to action in late November for Tampa Bay’s 11th game and racked up 669 yards in seven games to end the regular season with 1,004.

While Evans could be missing time, fellow wideout Chris Godwin could return for the Week 4 home game against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Godwin has been sidelined since badly dislocating his ankle in Week 7 of last season.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdown in there second quarter during a game between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.

Bucs WR Mike Evans, Giants rookie Malik Nabers get Pro Bowl nods

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Wide receivers Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and rookie Malik Nabers of the New York Giants have been added to this week’s Pro Bowl Games, the NFL announced Monday.

Evans, who is going to his sixth career Pro Bowl, replaces the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, while Nabers — originally a second alternate — takes the place of the Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown. Both Lamb and St. Brown are out due to injury.

Nabers, 21, missed two early-season games with a concussion but went on to set a franchise record with 109 receptions, also the most by a rookie wide receiver in league history. The Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua had set the mark last season with 105.

Nabers totaled 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns, and he was voted to the 2024 NFL All-Rookie team. The Giants selected Nabers sixth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of LSU.

He joins defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II in representing the Giants at the Pro Bowl Games, which are Thursday through Sunday in Orlando.

Evans, 31, caught 74 passes for 1,004 yards and 11 TDs in 14 games this season, his 11th in the NFL. He tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice with his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. Only Rice has more total 1,000-yard receiving seasons at 14.

Evans also went to the Pro Bowl in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023. He joins defensive tackle Vita Vea and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs as Bucs at this year’s competition.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates after a reception to put him over 1,000 yards for the season in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Bucs’ Mike Evans equals Jerry Rice’s record of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons

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Instead of taking a knee to complete a victory Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made sure Mike Evans matched Jerry Rice’s NFL record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

Evans was five yards shy of the mark, but the team lined up and ran one final play and he turned Baker Mayfield’s short pass into a 9-yard gain to conclude the season with 1,004 receiving yards. After being tackled, Evans spiked the ball hard into the turf and was mobbed by his teammates.

The milestone also earned Evans a $3 million bonus for topping 70 catches, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished his 11th season with 74 receptions and 11 scores.

Evans, 31, had nine catches for 89 yards on Sunday.

The Buccaneers clinched the NFC South and a playoff appearance with the 27-19 home win over the New Orleans Saints, making the occasion doubly fun for the players.

Evans was watching closely in the final minute, hoping the defense would stop the Saints to give the Buccaneers one last possession.

“I was hoping they’d get the stop, I couldn’t pass up history,” Evans said. “To be tied with the greatest to ever do it. …

“The defense knew the record was on the line and they were trying to get off the field. I appreciate them for that.”

Getting to 1,000 was tougher for Evans this season as he missed three games with a hamstring injury.

Rice had 14 overall 1,000-yard seasons in his career, including 11 straight from 1986-96 with the San Francisco 49ers.

The third-seeded Buccaneers (10-7) will host the sixth-seeded Washington Commanders (12-5) in next Sunday’s wild-card round.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (83) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans (54) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Falcons add Rashaan Evans to practice squad

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The Atlanta Falcons re-signed linebacker Rashaan Evans to the practice squad on Tuesday.

Evans played in two games for the Falcons earlier this season and received one defensive snap and five on special teams. He was on the roster Weeks 9-15 before being released Dec. 21.

Evans, 29, was a first-round pick (22nd overall) in 2018 by the Tennessee Titans. He spent four seasons with the Titans before signing with the Falcons prior to the 2022 season.

Evans stood out for Atlanta in 2022 with a career-high 159 tackles and two sacks. He played in nine games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.

Overall, Evans has 485 tackles and five sacks in 87 career games (68 starts) over seven NFL seasons.

Atlanta also signed defensive lineman Kyler Baugh to the practice squad. He was on the practice squads of the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants earlier this season.

Baugh, 23, has not played in an NFL game. He originally was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints following the 2024 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and wide receiver Jalen McMillan (15) after he scored a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) on track to return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans participated in parts of practice on Wednesday and is planning to suit up Sunday for the first time since a Week 7 hamstring injury.

Evans and Chris Godwin (ankle) were injured in the same 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 21. Godwin, still the team leader with 50 receptions, is out for the year.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said Evans looked good and is positive about his chances of getting back in the lineup this week when the Buccaneers (4-6) play at the New York Giants (2-8).

“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 jumps back into the lineup as the team’s leader with six touchdown receptions. However, his 10-season streak of 1,000-yard campaigns is in peril.

With 336 yards in 2024, he’ll need to average 95 yards per game in the final 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.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates the touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans inks two-year, $41M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With a chance to run a fly pattern into free agency, Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans opted for the comeback route.

Evans officially signed a two-year, $41 million contract on Friday to extend his career in Tampa Bay into an 11th season.

The deal includes $29 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. He’ll resume his pursuit of Jerry Rice’s record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2024 after hitting that mark in each of his first 10 years with the Bucs.

“The first 10 years of Mike’s time in Tampa have been truly unprecedented and we look forward to seeing him continue to break records and add to his legendary career as a Buccaneer,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said. “Mike is a special player who has made a lasting impact on this franchise and in our community. As great as he’s been on the field, Mike and his wife, Ashli, have had an even bigger effect in the Tampa Bay area through all their charitable work. He is crucial to our team success and exemplifies everything we want our players to be.”

Evans said Friday his goal all along was to be with the same franchise from the start of his career to the finish.

“Tampa is home,” Evans said, noting he and his wife briefly discussed what it would be like to play elsewhere before coming to the joint realization a return was the option they wanted.

Evans was the first draft pick Licht made as general manager, selected seventh overall in the 2014 draft. Now the Buccaneers are focused on bringing back quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is ticketed for unrestricted free agency after leading Tampa Bay to the NFC South title and playoffs in his only season with the team.

This is Evans’ third contract with the Buccaneers.

Evans has been a team captain seven consecutive seasons.

The 30-year-old was ticketed for free agency at the turn of the new league year next week. He just finished a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Bucs, but Licht and head coach Todd Bowles sent strong signals in recent days that they weren’t letting Evans out of town.

“He came to work every day, he came into play every day, as you can see as a result from his statistics,” Bowles said at the NFL Scouting Combine last week. “You know, he he’s been here for like a decade and he’s done the same thing every year. He’s been very consistent. He’s very dynamic yet he’s very humble off the field, but he’s a confident player. He’s one of my favorite players. I have a lot of respect for Mike and everything he does. He’s earned what he done.”

Evans had 79 catches for 1,255 yards with a league-leading 13 touchdowns last season.

He has 762 career receptions for 11,680 yards and 94 TDs in 154 games (153 starts). He also has 709 yards receiving and five TDs in nine postseason games, two of those TDs coming in the 2020 Super Bowl run.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs focus on re-signing Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Keeping quarterback Baker Mayfield and retaining receiver Mike Evans are major priorities for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.

Mayfield was plucked off the scrap heap and put together his top all-around season, while Evans reached 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th straight season, a record at the outset of a career and just one off the overall consecutive seasons mark held by the legendary Jerry Rice.

Evans is a legend with the franchise while Mayfield stands to earn much, much more than the $4 million he received last season.

Negotiations are continuing with the soon-to-be free agent but the Buccaneers also plan to study quarterbacks this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I know he wants to be a Buc. We want him to be a Buc, so that’s usually a good starting point,” Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday. “We want Baker back. Trust me, I can’t go two blocks in Tampa without somebody asking me that and you understand that and I totally understand it.

“He’s been great for our team. He’s been great for the organization and we would love to have Baker.”

Mayfield, 28, has a 40-46 record as a starting quarterback, including stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. He went 9-8 with the Buccaneers while setting personal bests of 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Evans, 30, caught 13 touchdown passes last season to match Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins for the NFL lead. Evans had 79 catches for 1,255 yards.

“Mike did a heck of a job and he came to work every day,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. “He came to play every day, as you can see as a result from the statistics. And he’s been here for a decade and he’s done the same thing every year.

“He has been very consistent, very dynamic, yet he’s very humble off the field. But he’s a confident player. He’s one of my favorite players. I have a lot of respect for Mike and everything he does and he’s earned what he done.”

Evans just finished a five-year, $82.5 million contract with Tampa Bay.

But extension talks didn’t go well leading up to the 2023 season and the two sides didn’t reach a deal.

Licht declined to discuss where talks stand now.

“He’s an unprecedented player. We want him to be a Buc for life. We’re working towards that,” Licht said. “Obviously it takes two sides. I know he wants to be a Buc. We’ll probably have to strain a little bit (financially) but we’re working towards that right now.”

The Buccaneers also cleared close to $5 million in salary cap space by releasing outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett. The 31-year-old made the Pro Bowl twice in five seasons with Tampa Bay.

“Did not want to make that call,” Licht said. “At the same time I did — I wanted to give him some time here to look for another team if that’s what he wants to do. We can’t officially release him until the beginning of the league year, but he actually calmed me down on the call.”

–Field Level Media