Buccaneers could have huge offensive weapon back for stretch run

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be getting a huge offensive weapon back at the perfect time.

On Wednesday, Fox Sports Buccaneers reporter Greg Auman shared that head coach Todd Bowles expects injured wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) to be active for Thursday's game versus the Atlanta Falcons (4-9).

"Evans has shown everything he needed to show in practice to get activated," Auman wrote on social media.

Mike Evans trending toward huge Week 15 return

Injuries have limited Evans, who is the only player in NFL history with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start a career, to four games this season. In Week 7, he suffered a fractured collarbone, forcing him to miss the past six games.

Evans' imminent return is huge for a Bucs team that finds itself tied for first in the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers (7-6). Tampa Bay has dropped four of its last five games. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has struggled mightily, going 85-of-148 (57.4 percent) for 803 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions while posting a pedestrian 77.1 passer rating (average is 79.2).

CBS Sports NFL analyst JP Acosta shared alarming Mayfield splits with Evans on and off the field since the former No. 1 overall pick joined the Buccaneers in 2023, with the passing attack less likely to stay on schedule or produce big plays with Evans off the field.