NFL Today, Week 18
NFL Today, Week 18JANUARY 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MIKE EVANS #13 - WIDE RECEIVER - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
403 YDS •
31 REC •
6 TD
403 YDS
31 REC
6 TD
Pair of TDs in finale Evans brought in six of seven targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the Buccaneers' 41-17 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Impact The Bucs' undisputed top receiver played like it Sunday, hauling in touchdown tosses of three and 20 yards in fourth quarter to help ice the game for Tampa Bay and snap his own single-season franchise record in that category in the process. Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports Evans went down with what appeared to be an arm injury on the reception that gave him 1,000 yards for the eighth straight season, but he was quickly back in the contest without any further signs of limitation. Assuming full health, Evans will naturally have a major role in the passing attack in next weekend's wild-card matchup against the Eagles.
JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
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Puts in full practice Evans (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Impact Evans' ability to take all reps during Thursday's session seemingly confirms that his limitations Wednesday were maintenance-related. After sitting out Week 16 with the hamstring issue and then testing positive for COVID-19, Evans was able to move past the injury and illness to play three quarters of the Buccaneers' snaps on offense in last Sunday's 28-24 win over the Jets. Unless the Bucs elect to rest starters at some point during the Week 18 contest, Evans should see his snap share increase and serve as the clear No. 1 wideout while he's on the field. Chris Godwin (knee) is out for the season and Antonio Brown (ankle) was released Thursday, suddenly leaving Evans without much competition for targets.
JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Still tending to hamstring injury Evans (hamstring) was limited at practice Wednesday.
Impact Evans sat out Week 16 due to a hamstring issue, which was followed by a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Fortunately, he was able to clear league protocols last Friday, cap Week 17 prep with a limited practice and enter the weekend as questionable for this past Sunday's road game against the Jets. Evans' offensive snap share of 75 percent in that outing was among his lowest for a complete contest this season, but he still put up four catches (on seven targets) for 47 yards and one touchdown in the 28-24 win. With Antonio Brown (personal) expected to be cut loose by the Buccaneers in the near future, Evans is the team's clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver with Chris Godwin (knee) out for the season. Evans now will aim to head into Sunday's season finale versus the Panthers without an injury designation.
JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
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Finds end zone in win Evans secured four of seven targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 28-24 win over the Jets on Sunday.
Impact Evans put the Buccaneers' first points on the board with a four-yard scoring grab in the first quarter but had a relatively quiet afternoon otherwise. The veteran seemed to show no ill effects from the hamstring injury that cost him Week 16, and with the pending release of Antonio Brown following his actions in Sunday's game, Evans should be in for a significant workload in Week 18 against the Panthers and during the postseason.
JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
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Active as expected Evans (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Impact Evans will make his return from a one-game absence as expected after also overcoming a COVID-19 designation earlier in the week. Evans has only managed one limited practice, which occurred Friday, over the last two weeks, leading to reports he could have his snap count somewhat limited Sunday. The multi-time Pro Bowler, who has 17 receptions of greater than 20 yards this season, will face a Jets team that's struggled with preventing downfield plays, allowing a co-NFL-high 12% explosive pass play rate.
JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Likely to be limited Sunday Evans (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, is expected to play in a limited capacity, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Impact After being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Evans was activated Thursday, but he's still not 100 percent after straining his hamstring in the Buccaneers' Week 15 loss to the Saints. He sat out every practice Week 16 before sitting out the Bucs' win over the Panthers, and his lack of full activity this week looks like it will prompt Tampa Bay to take a cautious approach with him Sunday. Antonio Brown (ankle) is also listed as questionable but is expected to play, so he'll likely continue working as Tom Brady's top target, especially if Evans' snaps are limited.
JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Listed as questionable Evans (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Impact Evans was on the COVID-19 list Monday through Thursday, after sitting out every practice last week and missing last Sunday's win over Carolina due to the hamstring injury. Both he and Antonio Brown appear truly questionable entering the weekend, and it won't surprise if either or both are treated as game-time decisions ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Tyler Johnson, Breshad Perriman, Scotty Miller, Jaelon Darden (reserve/COVID-19) and Justin Watson (questionable/quad) are Tampa's options at wide receiver on the active roster, while Cyril Grayson has a chance to be elevated from the practice squad.
DECEMBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Returns from COVID list Evans (hamstring) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Impact Evans landed on the COVID list early this week but was able to clear league protocols over the past few days. However, the 28-year-old isn't necessarily in the clear to play Sunday against the Jets because he continues to nurse the hamstring strain that sidelined him for Week 16.
DECEMBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Back at team facilities Evans (undisclosed) ran routes and was on the receiving end of passes from practice squad quarterback Ryan Griffin at the Buccaneers' facilities Thursday, indicating the team has a...
Impact The move isn't official, but Evans likely cleared league protocols. Stroud noted that Evans seemed to get fatigued, which could be a residual effect of his time away from the team, or merely due to the hamstring issue that he sustained in his last appearance Week 15 against the Saints. If he's indeed off the COVID-19 list, Evans should show up on Thursday's injury report, perhaps as a limited participant due to his minimal activity.
DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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