NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers huge receiver Mike Evans is predicted to overlook the subsequent few weeks with a hamstring damage. ESPN’s Jenna Laine additionally reported that the All-Professional wideout is predicted to overlook 3-4 weeks. Evans limped off the sector within the fourth quarter of the group’s 29-27 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday and punched a cooler on the sidelines out of frustration earlier than strolling to the locker room.
Evans has handled a number of hamstring accidents all through his profession together with final 12 months, the place he was sidelined for 3 video games halfway by way of the marketing campaign. The veteran had hauled in 14 catches for 140 yards and a landing by way of the primary three video games of this season and this newest damage may probably put his quest to set the NFL document for many consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in jeopardy.
Ought to he miss only a few weeks, he may probably return for the group’s Week 6 dwelling matchup in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers on October 12. If he’s out for a full month like Laine’s reporting suggests, then the Bucs’ Week 8 highway matchup in opposition to the New Orleans Saints on October 26 may very well be a possible goal date for a return. With the group’s bye coming the next week, nonetheless, they might choose to maintain him out to make sure that he has as a lot restoration time as potential for the second half of the season.
Evans was a prime 15-16 fantasy huge receiver in common draft place heading into the 2025 season, so many fantasy managers might be down certainly one of their beginning wideouts for probably the subsequent month. The veteran wasn’t placing up explosive numbers within the early phases of the season, however had been reliably according to a top-15 goal share within the league.
Along with his absence, rookie Emeka Egbuka will shoulder the load because the group’s prime receiving choice and will garner much more targets from Baker Mayfield. The primary-rounder out of Ohio State has instantly damaged out within the first month of his professional profession, catching 14 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns and is at the moment standing as a top-10 fantasy receiver throughout all codecs. This must also imply extra targets for veteran Sterling Shepard, who has 153 yards by way of three video games and is at the moment rostered in simply 1% of fantasy leagues.
And whereas Evans could also be out for the subsequent few weeks, the group may probably be getting Chris Godwin again on the sector for this Sunday’s showdown in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. The All-Professional receiver has been sidelined since Week 7 of final season with an ankle damage, coincidentally the identical week Evans suffered the hamstring damage that stored him out for 3 video games. Godwin was nonetheless a top-50 receiver in ADP heading into the season and is rostered in roughly 75% of fantasy leagues, so the managers who determined to stash and draft him may lastly see him take the sector this week.
As for Evans managers, there are many waiver wire choices to show to for receiver depth, together with Quentin Johnston of the Los Angeles Chargers and Tre Tucker of the Las Vegas Raiders.
