Who Should I Start? Mike Evans or Malik Nabers

Friday, December 5, 12:50 PM

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.

Tuesday, October 28, 5:23 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) had surgery on Tuesday to fix the torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, and he "should be ready" for the start of next season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nabers suffered his season-ending knee injury in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he just now had surgery after doctors had to wait for the swelling in his knee to dissipate. Barring setbacks with his rehab and recovery in the offseason, the 22-year-old former first-rounder should be good to go for the start of the 2026 season next fall, although fantasy managers might have some reservations about rolling with a receiver coming off a major knee repair as a high-end WR1. Before his injury, though, Nabers had displayed his game-changing abilities with 271 yards and two scores on 18 receptions in four games. His long-term fantasy ceiling should be higher going forward now that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looks like the real deal.