Tampa Bay’s fears have been confirmed: No. 1 receiver Mike Evans has a broken clavicle and will miss at least the balance of the regular season.
During the second quarter of the Tampa Bay Bucs game on Monday night, Mike Evans went high in the air to snag a ball while defended by Lions’ defensive back Rock Ya-Sin. He made the catch at first, but released it as he came crashing to the turf awkwardly. His head slammed to the ground (he seemed to temporarily lose consciousness), and he lay motionless on the field for a nerve-wracking time.
Once Evans gathered his marbles, he walked to the sideline under his own power and was evaluated in short order before boarding a cart to be driven to the locker room. The team reported he had suffered a concussion and sustained an injury to his shoulder, although upon further evaluation determined that it was actually a fractured collarbone. Head coach Todd Bowles announced during his post-game presser that Evans would be lost “until the end of the season.” Should the fracture mend perfectly and swiftly, the six-to-eight week timeline that is typical for an injury of this nature could conceivably put him back at practice in late December.
It’s unlikely that if that occurs, he’ll be suiting up for another regular-season game in 2025. More likely is that the rehab takes him right up to the playoffs where he could conceivably give Tampa a “shot in the arm” if they are ticketed for the postseason.
This was Evans’ first game back after a three-game hiatus, tending to a hamstring injury. The Bucs seem to be all out of luck in the injury department on offense. Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) remains out. Chris Godwin (fibula) tried to return sooner than expected and then went back on the shelf. Jalen McMillan (neck, out since the preseason) is expected back “at some point,” but the team has no significant updates beyond confirming that McMillan is still in a neck brace. Rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka left Week 6 with a hamstring injury but miraculously had a short turnaround and was good to go Monday. 32-year-old Sterling Shepard and seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson have each filled in admirably as injuries continue to strike.
Lost in all of the Evans news (at least for the casual fan) is the end of his amazing streak. He was tied with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice with 11-straight 1,000-yard seasons. Had he played a full 2025, he could have written his name above Rice in that category; the record remains one widely considered to stand the test of time. The football historian in all football fans laments Evans’ (another quintessential “good guy”) chance at taking over the record.
Evans will tend to the broken clavicle once the swelling subsides, but before further evaluation, it appears he has avoided surgery, which would lead to him being out until next season. For now, rest, restrained movement of his arm, and letting the fracture heal naturally is the first order of business. Once comfortable, he can start rehabilitation in the hopes of making it back in time for the playoffs. Tampa Bay has not announced a corresponding roster move as of yet, but assume he’ll be placed on the injured reserve with a return designation (IR-R).
Fantasy football managers can stash Evans in case he makes it back for the final game of the fantasy playoffs, but at this point, it appears that is unlikely to occur.
Author: Samwise (@BuyAndSellYou)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone),...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) ...
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially placed veteran wide ...
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler hints at Week 4 return for Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin.
As the 2025 NFL Draft wrapped up, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared to be blessed with a massive amount of depth at the wide receiver position. With Chris Godwin nursing injuries through the offseason and into the season, the Buccaneers offense hasn’t been as full of firepower as in 2024.
The Buccaneers have just skated past the Falcons and Texans in the first 2 weeks and could really use Chris Godwin. With injuries to their offensive line, Godwin would be helpful for quick hitting routes. Godwin had 3 top-8 WR finishes in 7 games played last season.
The Buccaneers get the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4. Despite the need for Godwin, Bakery Mayfield has managed well. To the delight of Emeka Egbuka fantasy managers, Godwin’s absence has allowed Egbuka to rise as a fantasy asset.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht says he expects wide receiver Chris Godwin to make his return in week five at the earliest.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin is returning from a dislocated ankle and won’t be placed on Injured Reserve, but still isn’t expected on the field in the first four weeks of the season. General manager Jason Licht believes Godwin could return in week five or later.
Godwin isn’t the only Bucs wide receiver that will miss time to open the season, second year wide out Jalen McMillan was placed on IR with a neck injury. With Godwin and McMillan out for at least the first four weeks of the season first round rookie Emeka Egbuka will have to step up alongside Mike Evans in the Tampa Bay passing attack.
What was once considered their deepest position, wide receiver depth is now a question for the Buccaneers. Expect Baker Mayfield’s targets to consolidate around Evans and Egbuka for the opening weeks of the season.
Author: David Leonard (@RealDelcoDave)
Veteran Tight End Cade Otton is going to miss some time with leg soreness.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received more bad injury news from the pass catchers. Cade Otton is sore, dealing with a new leg injury in addition to a previous hamstring issue. The timeline to return from the injury is still unknown.
If the injury leaks into the regular season, we as fantasy managers can add more fuel to the Egbuka rocketship. What was once a strength of the Buccaneers, the receiving depth, is being decimated by the injury bug. Egbuka has earned high praise this offseason from the Head Coach, Todd Bowles, who said in an interview, “Emeka grasps everything, runs the right routes, he puts his face in there blocking, he’s very professional in his technique, he does the little things well, he is a complete player.” With Egbuka and veteran Mike Evans being the only healthy fantasy-relevant receivers, the climb in ADP is well justified for the rookie. Currently on a Fastdraft Rabbit, his ADP is 53 and on Underdog, he sits at an ADP of 60.
Author: Dane Madoche (FF_DaMaddog)
Buccaneers 2nd year wide out, Jalen McMillan could be out until Week 10.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got bad news for their receiver room. Second year player, Jalen McMillan has suffered a sprained neck after falling on the back of his head in a preseason matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The injury could keep McMillan out past the team’s Week 9 bye. With Chris Godwin not looking like a lock to start the season healthy, what was once a major depth piece for the Buccaneers is now becoming somewhat thinner. Fortunately, rookie Ohio State phenom Emeka Egbuka will be able to fill in. Egbuka has drawn high praise from starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and scored a touchdown in the matchup with the Steelers.
Egbuka is going in the middle of round 6 on Underdog and should see his ADP continue to rise. Mike Evans who is a near lock for 1,000 yards receiving every year can be drafted in the early part of round 4. Expect Godwin’s ADP to fall into the 9th round while McMillan will be lucky to be drafted at this point between now and the start of the season (current round 15 ADP).
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Chris Godwin will not be participating in Buccaneers team related activities and will work to the side with trainers.
Baker Mayfield will be without one of his best weapons to start training camp. Wide receiver Chris Godwin is still rehabbing from a dislocated ankle and is beginning training camp in the training room.
While this isn’t a surprise, it is to be noted that the Buccaneers drafted slot merchant Emeka Egbuka 19th overall in the 1st round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Upon his return, Chris Godwin will get veteran deference and won’t necessarily lose his job from some missed time in camp.
Chris Godwin averaged 19.7 fantasy points per game leading up to his week 7 dislocated ankle that ended his season. Both he and Mike Evans are getting up there in age, yet maintaining fantasy relevance. Mike Evans is currently going in round 3 on Underdog while Godwin is being drafted in round 6. Emeka Egbuka presents tremendous value as he can be selected in round 8 and sometimes falls into round 9.
This is a situation to monitor as Emeka Egbuka has drawn high praise from quarterback Baker Mayfield this offseason. Don’t be surprised if Egbuka stakes a claim and foothold on target share in the Buccaneers offense due to talent breaking through. Meanwhile, stay tuned for further clarity on Godwin’s rehab status.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
