Mike Evans
Wide Receiver #13
Mike Evans News
Buccaneers Interested in Re-signing Mike Evans
At the NFL Combine on Thursday, sources told Jenna Laine of ESPN that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will "aggressively pursue" attempts to re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans ahead of the 2026 season. The 32-year-old pass catcher played in a career-low eight games in 2025 due to collarbone and hamstring injuries, and was unable to extend his streak of 1,000-yard seasons to 12. When active and healthy in Weeks 1 through 3 and 15 through 18, however, Evans was quarterback Baker Mayfield's preferred target, averaging eight targets and 39% air yards share per game. If Evans does return to Tampa, he profiles as a low-end WR2 due to his target volume and the likelihood that he will lead a packed wide receiver room.
Feb 28, 2026 4:17 AM EST
Buccaneers "Would Love" to Re-Sign Mike Evans
Despite an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to re-sign impending veteran free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans, according to James Palmer of the NFL Network. "He's earned the right to do this. And he knows we'd love to have him back," general manager Jason Licht said on Evans and him exploring free agency. Evans, 32, is a future Hall of Famer after beginning his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons in Tampa. However, the six-time Pro Bowler is aging and played in a career-low eight games in 2025 due to hamstring and collarbone injuries. At this point in Evans' career, having another shot to win another Super Bowl ring is probably most important, so he'll have to determine if another team is a better fit with a better chance of winning. If he stays with the Bucs, he'll be in a crowded receiving room. Either way, the days of Evans being a lock for 1,000 yards might be over.
Feb 24, 2026 4:38 PM EST
Mike Evans Will Return in 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans will play in 2026, agents Deryk Gilmore and Darren Jones told Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN. Evans will return for a 13th season after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign that limited him to a career-low eight games, but Martin also reports that the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer will explore his options in free agency. It's not a foregone conclusion that Evans will return to play in Tampa in 2026, although if he does sign with another organization, it will almost certainly be a team with Super Bowl aspirations. A broken collarbone prevented the former first-rounder from reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the 12th straight year. When healthy, Evans caught 30 of his 62 targets for 368 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. Evans can still be productive when healthy, but depending on where he lands in free agency, he may not be a lock as a WR1 as he nears the end of his illustrious career.
Feb 17, 2026 11:51 AM EST
Mike Evans Less Likely to Retire
Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans has not discussed his future with the team yet as an unrestricted free agent, but ESPN's Jenna Laine writes that Evans, 32, is "less likely to retire," based on conversations with those closest to him. The future Hall of Famer had the worst year of his career in 2025, thanks to a broken collarbone that limited him to just eight games. Evans finished his 12th year in the league with 30 receptions on 62 targets for 368 yards and three touchdowns. With limited time remaining in his NFL career, will he choose to go elsewhere for a better shot at a Super Bowl ring? It remains to be seen, but at the moment, he appears to be leaning toward returning for the 2026 season. The six-time Pro Bowler began his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons before last year's injury-plagued campaign. If he stays in Tampa in 2026, he should be the No. 1 wideout again, albeit in a crowded receiving room that also includes Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan.
Feb 13, 2026 6:14 AM EST
Mike Evans to Continue Playing in 2026?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, hinted that his client is leaning toward playing again in 2026, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. "Mike started the season in great shape. Most people in the organization said he probably had the best camp of everyone. He finished feeling better than he has in several seasons. I think his competitive nature leads to more football. That is my hope," Gilmore said. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer fell under 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his 12 NFL seasons in 2025 because of a broken collarbone that caused him to miss half the season. Evans finished with a 30-368-3 line on 62 targets in eight starts, but it sounds like he doesn't have any intention of hanging up his cleats just yet. If Evans plays in 2026, it will most likely be back in Tampa, although it might not be the most ideal spot for fantasy purposes, given their crowded WR corps.
Feb 10, 2026 8:26 AM EST
Mike Evans Remains a Solid WR2 for Week 18
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will need to be at his best for the must-win game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. Evans mostly struggled last week until he snagged a four-yard touchdown in the final moments of the loss to the Miami Dolphins. The veteran wideout will look to extend his two-game touchdown streak during this Week 18 contest. Since returning in Week 15 from a broken collarbone, Evans has seen 28 targets and has hauled in 14 of them for 194 yards. The expectation is that Evans will continue being a focal point in the passing game for this must-win contest. The 32-year-old has done enough to earn the respect as a WR2 in fantasy football for this Saturday afternoon contest.
Jan 2, 2026 9:44 PM EST
Mike Evans Carries WR2 Value in Week 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has seen heavy involvement in the passing game since making his return to the field two weeks ago. Since Week 15, Evans has hauled in 11 of his 21 targets for 163 yards with one touchdown. He figures to continue being a focal point on offense heading into the Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. This Dolphins' defense has been middle of the pack when it comes to defending wide receivers this season. Clearly, Evans is a favorite target for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Fantasy managers should be able to count on Evans as a WR2 for this game.
Dec 26, 2025 3:07 PM EST
Mike Evans Records Second Touchdown Catch of 2025 in Week 16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans hauled in five catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in his team's Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Evans has now hauled in 11 receptions for 163 yards across two games since returning from a collarbone injury that sidelined him from Week 8 through Week 14. While injuries have held down the 32-year-old's season-long numbers in 2025, he remains an effective player when he's on the field. Across six games this season, Evans has recorded 25 catches for 303 yards and two touchdowns on 53 targets. He looks like the clear-cut number one option in the passing game for Tampa Bay down the stretch of the season, as Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has targeted Evans on 35% of his pass attempts for the last two weeks. Tampa Bay will travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins in Week 17.
Dec 21, 2025 9:30 PM EST
Mike Evans Remains a Top Weapon in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans continues to be one of the top scoring threats on his own team. In his return from a six-game absence last week, Evans caught six of his 12 targets for 132 yards despite playing on a modest 55% snap share. He should get on the field even more often in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers, continuing to raise his ceiling to a very high level. The veteran is averaging five catches, 68 yards, and 13.3 fantasy points per game when healthy this year. This week, he'll face off against a Panthers defense that gave up six catches, 85 yards, and a touchdown to alpha receiver Chris Olave just last week. Jaycee Horn is a borderline elite cornerback in the Panthers' secondary, but if Olave can overcome the challenging matchup, Evans can, too. The 32-year-old continues to rank as a top-10 fantasy receiver in all leagues ahead of Week 16.
Dec 21, 2025 9:24 AM EST
Mike Evans Gets the Day Off on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was given the day off on Thursday after he put in a limited practice on Wednesday, according to the team's official website. Evans returned last week for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Week 7. He played only 55% of the offensive snaps, but when he was on the field, quarterback Baker Mayfield was looking his way often. The 32-year-old veteran pass-catcher was targeted a season-high 12 times, catching six passes for 132 yards in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. The Bucs will most likely be resting the veteran during the week from here on out, but he should be ready to roll for a huge divisional game on Sunday on the road in Carolina against the Panthers. After Evans' big performance in Week 15, fantasy managers should have him slotted back into all starting lineups in Week 16.
Dec 18, 2025 5:32 PM EST
Mike Evans Has League-Winning Upside Entering Week 16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans exploded in his first game back from injury, hauling in six of 12 targets for 132 yards in the 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Against the defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to outside receivers this season, Evans took advantage, putting up his best stat line of the 2025 season. While his 1,000-yard streak is likely to come to an end this season, that doesn't mean he can't win fantasy managers' championships. Despite being limited to just 51% of the snaps in Week 15, Evans produced as the WR1 in this offense. He faces a Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which he has decimated in recent seasons. Evans has tallied over 90 receiving yards in eight of his last ten games against Carolina and has scored 10 touchdowns during that span. The Buccaneers are in must-win mode, so expect Evans to play a ton this week and beyond.
Dec 18, 2025 10:40 AM EST
Mike Evans Logs a Limited Practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was limited on Wednesday after returning from a six-game absence to play and dominate in the team's Week 15 loss to the Falcons. After missing nearly two months with a broken collarbone, Evans caught six of 10 targets on Thursday night for 132 yards. While he played only 38 of 69 total offensive snaps, his 28 routes run were second-most on the team behind Chris Godwin, while his 4.71 yards per route run trailed only Puka Nacua and Luther Burden III across the league. At 32 years old, with a serious list of injuries sustained this season alone, the limited practice to begin the week is not unexpected, but fantasy managers will still need to monitor his status before a pivotal Week 16 matchup with the Panthers.
Dec 17, 2025 8:31 PM EST
Mike Evans Wastes No Time Making a Big Impact in Return
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
Mike Evans Officially Active on Thursday Night
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
Mike Evans Expected to Play Thursday, But Only on Key Downs?
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
Mike Evans is a Risky Starting Option if he Returns on Thursday
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
Mike Evans Officially Questionable for Thursday Night Game
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
Mike Evans Has "Shown Everything He Needed to Show" to Return in Week 15
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
Mike Evans Practices on Wednesday, Nearing Week 15 Return?
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
Mike Evans Gets Through Limited Practice on Tuesday
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
Latest Fantasy News
