Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans caught six of his 12 targets for 132 yards during Thursday's Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 32-year-old was activated from injured reserve earlier this week after recovering from a broken collarbone, and he wasted no time playing an enormous role in his return to action. Managers did hold their breath momentarily as Evans suffered an injury scare and left midgame with an apparent shoulder issue, but he returned shortly after and played the remainder of the game. After watching the star receiver step up as Baker Mayfield's favorite and best target once again on Thursday, managers should trust that Evans will remain in the WR1 tier for the remainder of the season. He should be started in all fantasy leagues next week against the Carolina Panthers.
Dec 12, 2025 12:21 AM EST
As expected, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is active for the Thursday night game against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. It's excellent news for a Buccaneers team desperate for a win as they look to keep their lead in the NFC South division over the Carolina Panthers. The 32-year-old Evans has played in only four games in 2025 due to a hamstring injury and a broken collarbone. The future Hall of Famer had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons coming into this season, but he'll be extremely volatile for fantasy managers in his first game back following a long layoff. Evans will be on the field on Thursday, but he's expected to be on a snap count, which will make him extremely risky in starting fantasy lineups in what is the first week of the playoffs in most leagues. Keep in mind that Evans wasn't cleared to take contact in any of the practices he was involved in after rejoining the team last week.
Dec 11, 2025 7:14 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone), who is questionable to play on Thursday night against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, is expected to be active, sources tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. However, Evans isn't expected to play every snap in his first game back since breaking his collarbone back in Week 7. With the future Hall of Famer likely to be on a pitch count in Week 15, it makes him extremely hard to trust in starting fantasy football lineups, especially for those who are in playoff matchups. The 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowler has been limited to only four games in 2025 and has 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown for the Bucs. The former first-rounder could absolutely be a difference-maker later in the fantasy football playoffs once he's back up to speed, but he'll be a major dice roll on Thursday Night Football.
Dec 11, 2025 3:46 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is considered questionable ahead of the upcoming Thursday night matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. Evans was activated off Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be active this week. The veteran wideout has missed the last six games due to a broken collarbone that he suffered in Week 7. Before that, Evans missed three games due to a hamstring injury, so it's been an injury-plagued 12th season for the future Hall of Famer. There's a good chance that Evans has a limited snap count if he is active on Thursday night. He hasn't played a full game since Week 3. Everyone is aware of Evans' big-play ability, but the risk might outweigh the reward of starting him in what is the first week of the fantasy playoffs in a lot of leagues.
Dec 10, 2025 10:07 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was limited in practice all week and is officially questionable to play on Thursday night against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Evans was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, though, and head coach Todd Bowles said that the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer has done everything he's needed to do to be active this week for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Week 7. The veteran pass-catcher has yet to take contact in practice, though, so he's iffy to play on Thursday night. But the Bucs are desperate for a win as they seek to stay atop the NFC South division. Evans needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues, but he'll be a pretty shaky starting option if he's active while being at risk of limited snaps in his first game back.
Dec 10, 2025 3:39 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) has "shown everything he needed to show in practice" to be activated off Injured Reserve for the team's Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. All indications are pointing to Evans making his return on Thursday night from a broken collarbone that has sidelined him since Week 7. Across the four games he's been active for this season, the 32-year-old has hauled in 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets. Given the long injury layoff, Tampa Bay could choose to work him back in slowly and limit his snap share in Week 15. Still, Evans could immediately slot in as the Buccaneers' top pass-catcher alongside wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin. If active, Evans profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 15.
Dec 10, 2025 11:50 AM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) practiced on Wednesday, per Matt Matera of Pewter Report. The 32-year-old has been on the practice field for three straight days now and could be trending towards making his return in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Evans has been on Injured Reserve since suffering a broken collarbone in Week 7. Across four games this season, he's hauled in 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets. While Tampa Bay has other capable wideouts in Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, Evans should re-assume the team's WR1 role once he's fully re-integrated into the offense. Still, fantasy managers could be wise to temper expectations for Evans immediately upon his return. If he's active in Week 15, Evans profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 against Atlanta.
Dec 10, 2025 11:26 AM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was a limited participant in practice for the second straight day on Tuesday. The veteran wideout has been on Injured Reserve since suffering a broken collarbone in Week 7. Before that, Evans missed three games due to a lingering hamstring injury. When healthy, Evans has recorded 14 receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown in four games. It appears Evans is trending in the right direction, but fantasy managers will need to check back on Wednesday for the final injury report ahead of the Thursday night matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran pass-catcher is a future Hall of Famer, but he could be on a snap count if he returns in Week 15, which would make him a volatile fantasy option in what is the first week of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues.
Dec 9, 2025 7:56 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was spotted at practice on Tuesday, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. The veteran wideout has been on Injured Reserve since Week 7 with a broken collarbone, but he practiced in a limited capacity on Monday and was apparently on the field in some capacity on Tuesday. Evans could make his return in his team's Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Multiple injuries have limited Evans to just four games so far in 2025. Across those contests, he's recorded 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets. While Evans would likely re-assume his WR1 status in Tampa Bay upon his return, the Buccaneers could choose to work him in slowly, given his extended absence. Fantasy managers should check back throughout the week to see if he's able to get in a full practice before Thursday.
Dec 9, 2025 11:30 AM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was listed as limited on Monday's estimated injury report, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Evans resumed practicing last week for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Week 7, but he was held out of the upset loss on Sunday to the New Orleans Saints. Even with a short week upcoming on Thursday night versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, Evans has a real chance to come off Injured Reserve to make his return in Week 15. Fellow wideout Jalen McMillan (neck) is also in play to make his 2025 debut this week, so the Bucs could be getting some key pass-catchers back as they try to win the NFC South division in the final four weeks of the season. The 32-year-old Evans is a future Hall of Famer, but he'll be very risky as a starter in fantasy lineups this week if he's active with the Bucs potentially looking to limit his snaps following a lengthy absence.
Dec 8, 2025 5:48 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is reportedly in play to return to action on Thursday night, according to head coach Todd Bowles. Evans was able to return to practice and log a week of limited participation last week after breaking his collarbone and suffering a concussion in a Week 7 loss to the Lions. Tampa Bay hosts the Falcons on Thursday night, and with Evans limited to only four games this year, he sits at 140 receiving yards on the season with only one total touchdown. Unless the Buccaneers force-feed him targets to the tune of 215 yards per game, his impressive streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons will come to an unceremonious end in Year 12.
Dec 8, 2025 2:46 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) appears to be on the verge of returning to game action. Evans has been sidelined since breaking his collarbone in Week 7. Before that, Evans missed three games due to a hamstring injury. The veteran wideout hasn't really made an impact on the field since Week 3. He returned to practice this week but was already ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Evans is pushing to suit up for next week's Thursday Night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. His return would be a significant boost for Tampa Bay's offense down the stretch of the season. If he's not able to play on Thursday, Evans would more than likely return versus the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Evans as he's expected to return for the fantasy playoffs. Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Tez Johnson will continue to see an increase in targets while Evans remains out.
Dec 7, 2025 8:32 AM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Friday that wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints in Week 14, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Evans returned to practice this week for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Week 7, but he's just not ready yet. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer could be ready to go next Thursday night against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, though, depending on how much progress he can make early next week in practice. The Bucs could ease Evans back into the fold when he's ready, but he absolutely needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues for his ability to help carry teams in the fantasy playoffs, which start in most leagues next week. With Evans and Jalen McMillan (neck) out another week, Tampa will move forward with Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka as their top wideouts, with Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson battling for WR3 duties.
Dec 5, 2025 12:50 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone), who remains on Injured Reserve after breaking his collarbone in Week 7, was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to Sara Palczewski of Louisiana First News. Evans is trying to get back up to speed after having his 21-day practice window opened this week. Although the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer has been out for an extended period, he has a real chance to make his return for a Week 14 divisional matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. When he's back to full speed, Evans should be Tampa's No. 1 receiver, although he has more competition for targets than ever with Chris Godwin Jr. also back and rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka involved. If Evans returns in Week 14, he could be on a snap count, which would make him pretty volatile as a fantasy play in his first game back.
Dec 4, 2025 5:15 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (clavicle) was back at practice on Wednesday and Thursday and has a "real chance" to make his return in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Evans has missed five games after suffering a broken clavicle during Tampa Bay's Week 7 loss against the Detroit Lions, but he is on track to be activated from Injured Reserve and play on Sunday. The 32-year-old wideout recorded 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets in four games before being placed on IR, and he would immediately slot in as the Bucs' top option in the passing game alongside Chris Godwin Jr. and rookie Emeka Egbuka. Evans should be scooped up immediately if he's somehow available on your league's waiver wire.
Dec 4, 2025 2:59 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (clavicle) was seen practicing with the team on Thursday, according to Pewter Report. His status during the session has not yet been detailed. The veteran made his way back to the practice field this week as Tampa Bay gears up for a home clash with the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Evans hasn't suited up for in-game action since sustaining a fracture in his clavicle back in Week 7, although it appears he's inching closer toward being activated from IR. While the capacity in which he practiced hadn't been divulged, it's encouraging to see him out there for a second straight day. If the 32-year-old is unable to suit up for Week 14's outing with New Orleans, teammates Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Tez Johnson would continue operating in 11 personnel, with Sterling Shepard mixing in as the fourth option.
Dec 4, 2025 12:00 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was listed as limited in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Evans has made good progress since breaking his collarbone in Week 7, but the Bucs will re-evaluate him later this week before determining if they'll activate him from Injured Reserve so that he can play on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer should not be floating around on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues, even if Tampa decides to wait another week to activate him. The six-time Pro Bowler will break a ridiculous streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons due to injuries this year, but he still has the potential to be a difference-maker for fantasy managers in the playoffs. Evans' impending return is more bad news for slumping rookie first-round wideout Emeka Egbuka.
Dec 3, 2025 6:15 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday that veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is doing well physically and has been running, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. The Bucs will now see how Evans handles contact and running routes in practice this week before they decide whether to activate him from Injured Reserve to have him play this Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer broke his collarbone back on Oct. 20 against the Detroit Lions and has been sidelined ever since. While Evans might not be ready to play this weekend, fantasy managers should be adding him ASAP off the waiver wire if he's available, as he could be a difference-maker in the fantasy playoffs from Weeks 15-17. Before his injury, Evans had caught 14 of 32 targets for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Dec 3, 2025 1:00 PM EST
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday morning that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' legendary wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is having his practice window opened off Injured Reserve, and he'll return to practice Wednesday. A quicker-than-expected return from a broken clavicle, Evans has been medically cleared. This is fantastic news for Mike Evans and the Buccaneers (7-5) as they make a push to win an NFC South title. From a fantasy perspective, it opens the opportunity for Evans to be an option for the fantasy playoffs. It's been a tough year for Evans from an injury standpoint: he injured his hamstring and missed Weeks 4-7, then played in Week 7 and had this collarbone injury. For the season, he's really only played three healthy games, so it will be the first time in his excellent 12-year career that he will not eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. However, getting back on the field to help the Bucs compete for a title is where his head should be. Should Evans suit up in any of the following weeks, he can be inserted into lineups as a low-end WR2 immediately.
Dec 3, 2025 9:15 AM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that "it's a possibility" that wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) could start doing more and practice this week, according to the Pewter Report. Evans remains on Injured Reserve after breaking his collarbone back in Week 7, but reports over the weekend suggested that he could return as early as Week 14 versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints if he has a good week of practice. It would be a huge addition for Tampa's offense as they battle to win the NFC South division. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler with 11 1,000-yard seasons in his career, apparently has healed quickly from a clean collarbone break, and he could be an asset for fantasy managers in the playoffs from Weeks 15-17. In four games before getting hurt, he had 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown on 32 targets. Pick Evans up now off the waiver wire if he's available.
Dec 1, 2025 12:39 PM EST