Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (Hamstring) Trending to Return Sunday vs. Giants
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is trending toward making his return to the lineup this Sunday against the New York Giants, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
Evans, who missed last week’s game against the Carolina Panthers with a hamstring injury, has been a limited participant in practice this week but has progressed well in his recovery. Bowles said that the team will continue to monitor Evans’ progress throughout the week, but that all signs point to him being available for Sunday’s game.
“Mike’s been doing well,” Bowles said. “He’s been moving around good, he’s been catching the ball well. We’ll see how he does the rest of the week, but he’s trending in the right direction.”
Evans’ return would be a major boost to the Buccaneers’ offense, which has struggled to find consistency in the passing game in recent weeks. Evans is one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL, having recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past seven seasons. He is also a key target for quarterback Tom Brady, who has relied heavily on Evans throughout his career.
In Evans’ absence, the Buccaneers have relied on a combination of Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, and Scotty Miller at wide receiver. Godwin has been the team’s leading receiver, but he has been limited by injuries this season. Jones has also been inconsistent, while Miller has emerged as a reliable slot receiver.
The Giants’ defense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season, allowing the most passing yards per game. This could be a favorable matchup for Evans, who could be in line for a big day if he is able to return to the lineup.
The Buccaneers are currently 3-5 on the season and need a win against the Giants to stay in contention in the NFC South. Evans’ return would give the team a much-needed boost as they look to turn their season around.
Injury Updates
In addition to Evans, the Buccaneers also have a few other players who are dealing with injuries. Running back Leonard Fournette (foot) is questionable for Sunday’s game, while linebacker Lavonte David (ankle) is also listed as questionable. Both players are expected to test their injuries out in practice this week.
Cornerback Carlton Davis (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Davis has been dealing with a hip injury for the past few weeks and has not played since Week 3.
Giants’ Defense Struggling
The Giants’ defense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season, allowing the most passing yards per game. This could be a favorable matchup for Evans, who could be in line for a big day if he is able to return to the lineup.
The Giants have allowed over 300 passing yards in each of their last three games. They have also allowed 10 passing touchdowns during that span. The Buccaneers’ offense has struggled at times this season, but they should be able to find success against the Giants’ defense.
Conclusion
The Buccaneers are hoping to get Mike Evans back in the lineup this Sunday against the Giants. Evans is one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL, and his return would be a major boost to the Buccaneers’ offense. The Giants’ defense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season, so Evans could be in line for a big day if he is able to return.