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Buccaneers get positive update on star WR ahead of Lions game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Buccaneers get positive update on star WR ahead of Lions game

After going 3-2 to start 2023 and 4-2 to start 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to their best start in recent memory, going 5-1 in the first six weeks of 2025. The Buccaneers are the best team in the NFC thanks to their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, who is playing at an MVP level. 

Mayfield has been carrying the Buccaneers while wide receiver Mike Evans has been out with a hamstring injury since Week 3. On an MVP pace and playing the Detroit Lions on "Monday Night Football," Mayfield and the Buccaneers got a positive update on Evans, who could be available to play on Monday. 

Buccaneers get positive update on Mike Evans' injury

Possessing one of the better offenses in the NFL (12th, 353.5 yards), Tampa Bay could add to it. Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud reported that Evans is supposed to practice on Thursday, which makes it likely he’ll be eligible to play on Monday against the Lions. Evans only has 140 receiving yards and one touchdown this season.

Getting Evans back healthy for the rest of the season not only helps the Buccaneers' playoff chances but also allows the WR to try to preserve his streak of 11 seasons of 1,000+ yards receiving to start his career, tying him with Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice for the NFL record

Getting Mike Evans back increases Baker Mayfield's chances of winning MVP

Already fourth in the NFL in passing yards (1,539), tied for third in touchdowns (12) with Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and only throwing one interception, Mayfield has firmly put himself in the running to win the MVP Award this season. 

Mayfield is doing this while his No. 1 option (Evans) is out. The QB has been incorporating his legs into his game, having 158 yards rushing on 22 carries. Mayfield is on pace to surpass his career high of 378 (through 17 games) rushing yards.

Getting Evans back healthy should increase Mayfield’s chances of winning MVP and help the Buccaneers possibly go deep in the playoffs. Evans could be featured a lot on Monday, with the Lions ranking as the 14th-best passing defense (212.7 yards).

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. You can find my other work on Southside Showdown from FanSided and at Chicitysports where I cover all Chicago sports. When not watching sports, I love spending time with my family and learning history. 

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