The Buccaneers receivers depth chart could soon be whole. Todd Bowles told reporters today that Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan could return to practice this week (via Greg Auman of FOX Sports). The coach did caution that the two players may not necessarily make their returns this Sunday against the Saints.
Evans missed three games earlier this season thanks to a hamstring injury, and his Week 7 return couldn’t have gone much worse. The veteran exited that contest in the first quarter with what was initially deemed a concussion. However, it was later revealed that the receiver had also suffered a broken clavicle, shelving him for several months.
The injury shut the door on Evans extending his 11-season streak of tallying at least 1,000 receiving yards. After finishing the 2024 campaign with 74 catches for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns, Evans’ age-32 season has seen him haul in 14 receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown.
McMillan suffered a serious neck injury following an awkward fall during Tampa Bay’s second preseason contest. Bowles admitted that the second-year receiver had to “adjust to wearing a helmet” again (per Auman).
“He’s been running,” Bowles said. “It’s just a matter of him putting on a helmet and seeing where he is strength-wise with his neck. He’ll start doing more this week, and we’ll see exactly what [he can do] — whether it’s individual or whether it’s some more things this week as well — but he will start moving around.”
The 2024 third-round pick had a standout rookie campaign. The Washington product finished the 2024 season with 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns.
With Chris Godwin also missing time, Baker Mayfield has had to operate with a depleted group of wideouts in 2025. The team has gotten an All-Rookie performance from first-round WR Emeka Egbuka, with veteran Sterling Shepard and seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson also helping to soak up some snaps at the position.
I feel like they will be activated for the Thursday game vs ATL. They have a mini bye to reevaluate and get additional rest before the Panthers one which is looking more important.
Hope they are careful with both. Evans had lots of time off don’t need the hamstring to flare up. Not really worried about the collarbone if he gets the all clear and they can put extra padding.
Jmac needs to be careful, he did have 3 months off though but no contact and that first hit will be important.
The offense needs to be able to sustain drives, “Fans” want to bash Bowles and the defense, but offense has had 3 and outs or short drives.