Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans warms up before a game against the New York Jets. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

How Buccaneers are preparing for stretch without Mike Evans

Originally posted on Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without star wide receiver Mike Evans in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles commented on Evans' loss and how it affects the team moving forward.

"I mean, it hurts. Anytime your stars go out, it's going to hurt – it's no different than Tristan [Wirfs] and Chris [Godwin Jr.] when they were out, and they're just coming back. He's a big part of our offense and, actually, everything goes through him. So, we've got to adjust, and we've been adjusting all year, and we'll adjust this week," Bowles said.

Mike Evans out vs. Eagles

It's tough to lose Evans, who has 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown so far this season. He's been a reliable target for Baker Mayfield ever since he arrived in Tampa.

"Obviously, Mike [Evans] is a guy that completely changes how teams play us. He draws a lot of attention, so in the midst of a game, [I] did not see them adjust and adapt that much when it came to Emeka [Egbuka], but we will see," Mayfield said Wednesday. "Everybody [has] to step up — one person is not going to fill Mike's shoes, so everybody has to step up and do their role at a very high level and execute against a good ball club."

The main person expected to step up in Evans' absence is rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who has been on a tear ever since the season began. Teams may defend Egbuka differently with Evans not on the field, but the Bucs have confidence in their rookie wide receiver.

"I think [Egbuka] started worrying about that after the first game, but we can't tell how people are going to play us. We're going to have to adjust on the run and anticipate some things, see them for the first time, and have plays to counter that," Bowles said.

Egbuka hopes to make his vet proud as the No. 1 wideout for the Bucs offense against the Eagles on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.