Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers star WR Mike Evans returns to practice Thursday

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Dec 30, 2021 3:58 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hit with an unprecedented amount of misfortune in the injury department to key offensive weapons during their "Sunday Night Football" shutout loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. They may get back one of the injured stars in time for Week 17.

Mike Evans returned after practice to run some routes for practice squad QB Ryan Griffin as trainer Bobby Slater looked on. Evans had been on the COVID-19 list since Monday. pic.twitter.com/c27rLG18hL
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) December 30, 2021

Evans suffered a hamstring injury early in the Bucs' loss to the Saints on Dec. 19 and then was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week.

The 28-year-old is second in the NFL with his 11 receiving touchdowns, while placing second on the team in targets (100) and receiving yards (899) and third in receptions with 64. Leading receiver Chris Godwin is out for the season with a torn ACL and sprained MCL, both of which he suffered during the Week 15 setback against New Orleans.

Leading rusher Leonard Fournette was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury following the game vs. the Saints as well.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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