MIKE EVANS NEWS

PFF proclaims Buccaneers – not Chiefs or Cowboys – have NFL's best receiving corps

Does Tampa Bay's receiving corps outrank Kansas City's? PFF thinks so, but Nick Wright begs to differ.

AUGUST 4, 2021

Already flashing midseason form Evans has been particularly impressive over the first three days of training camp despite soaring temperatures, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports. "That's Mike," said...

Impact The fact the multi-time Pro Bowler is standing out isn't completely newsworthy given his track record, but Evans made two especially impressive catches in Monday's two-minute drill and then was even more prolific throughout Tuesday's session. Evans appears to also have lost weight this offseason, and he's encouraged by the prospect of an offense that already appears to be reaping the benefits of having a year in Arians' system under its collective belt. "I felt that in mini-camp," said Evans. "In mini-camp, it seems like we didn't leave. It felt like we took a couple of weeks off and we're back it. I feel like we're going to be much better, especially offensively this year."

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Looking lean this summer Evans looked leaner at June minicamp, according to Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site.

Impact Evans has always been one of the league's largest wideouts, typically listed with his combine measurement of 6-foot-5, 231 pounds. He might be a bit lighter this summer, but he'll still have the size advantage over every defensive back he faces. The soon-to-be 28-year-old finished last season with a career high for touchdowns (13) and a career low for targets (106), ultimately reaching 1,000 yards (just barely) for a seventh straight year. Tampa Bay's offense looks much the same as last season, featuring Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown at wide receiver, while O.J. Howard returns from an Achilles tear to join Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate at tight end.

JULY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Is this the NFL's Golden Age of receivers? Top 10 list sparks discussion

A list of the NFL's top 10 receivers has sparked the notion that this might be the greatest era ever for pass-catchers.

JULY 17, 2021

Grading the 2021 NFL Draft: NFC South report cards

Rob Rang breaks down the drafts of the NFC South teams, with the Panthers scoring the highest and the Saints landing last.

MAY 6, 2021

One long catch in SB LV win Evans secured his only target for 31 yards during the Buccaneers' 31-9 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Sunday.

Impact Evans surprisingly saw as many targets as Tyler Johnson, offensive lineman Joe Haeg, Tanner Hudson and Ronald Jones, but he still found a way to make an impact in Tampa Bay's victory. Evans' one reception served as a game-long catch for the Buccaneers, and he also drew a critical pass interference penalty late in the first half that put the ball at the Chiefs' nine-yard line and set up an eventual one-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Antonio Brown. Despite the relatively quiet finish to his team's title run, Evans and Brady quickly developed a rapport this season, and the seventh-year wideout finished with a solid 70-1,006-13 line over 16 games during the regular season. Assuming Brady returns in 2021, Evans could be in for even better numbers, especially if position mate Chris Godwin departs in free agency.

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Super Bowl LV's top 10 players, according to Colin Cowherd

Which players could have the biggest impact on Super Bowl Sunday? Colin Cowherd ranks his top 10 between the Bucs and Chiefs.

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Nick Wright's Super Bowl LV Most Important Player Pyramid

Ahead of Super Bowl LV, Nick Wright ranks who needs to show up most to win the Lombardi on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Puts in full practice Evans (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.

Impact The Buccaneers capped Evans' practice reps last week, as they would have done if the team had been facing a normal turnaround for a game. Now that he's gotten some maintenance time, Evans shouldn't face any limitations in the Buccaneers' remaining practices leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl LV matchup with the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Antonio Brown (knee) got back on the practice field in a limited capacity Wednesday, helping Tampa Bay inch closer to full capacity in its receiving corps.

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited at practice Evans (knee) remained limited Friday at practice.

Impact Although he wasn't a full participant, the Bucs estimate that Evans wouldn't have any injury designation if they had a game to play this Sunday. He should be fine with another week to prepare for the Super Bowl, gearing up to face a solid KC secondary.

JANUARY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited session Evans (knee) was limited at Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Since picking up a knee injury Week 17, Evans' has had his practice reps capped, but he's still produced, per usual. Through three postseason games, Evans has compiled a 10-173-2 line on 21 targets. The Buccaneers are in the midst of their first of two weeks of preparation for Super Bowl LV, so there's little reason to believe Evans' status against the Chiefs is in question.

JANUARY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets limited tag Evans (knee) was listed as a limited participant Wednesday's on the Buccaneers' estimated practice report.

Impact Evans has been managing a knee injury since Week 17, but he's still suited up for all three of the Buccaneers' playoff games. During that stretch, he has hauled in 10 of 21 targets for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Elsewhere in the Tampa Bay receiving corps, Antonio Brown wouldn't have practiced Wednesday if the team held a session, and he's expected to remain a spectator for the rest of this week. Tampa Bay will have a full two weeks to get key players healthy for the Feb. 7 Super Bowl LV matchup with the Chiefs, and if Brown is sidelined, Evans could be in line for a few more looks.

JANUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Arians' hiring put struggling Bucs on path to Super Bowl 55

It took five coaching changes over a decade-plus of futility before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally got it right by luring Bruce Arians out of retirement

JANUARY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cleared from injury report Evans (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Evans injured his knee Week 17 but has nonetheless managed to play 84 and 88 percent of Tampa's offensive snaps in two playoff games. He caught six passes for 119 yards in the wild-card round, followed by just one reception for a three-yard touchdown in the divisional round. Antonio Brown's upcoming absence due to a knee injury of his own could push a few more targets toward Evans or Chris Godwin.

JANUARY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

NFC Matchups: Where else to start but Brady and Rodgers?

More than 100 players will suit up for Sunday’s NFC championship game

JANUARY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another limited showing Evans (knee) was limited at Thursday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Evans maintained his activity level from Wednesday, when his reps were capped in a walk-through session. Chris Godwin (quadriceps) is in the same boat as Evans, while Antonio Brown (knee) has been unable to practice this week. Even if Evans is unable to put in a full session Friday, it appears as if the Buccaneers are managing his practice reps to make sure he's ready for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Green Bay.

JANUARY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as limited Wednesday The Buccaneers listed Evans (knee) as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Impact In addition to Evans, wideout Chris Godwin (hip/quadriceps) and running back Ronald Jones (finger/calf) were also labeled as limited. Greg Auman of The Athletic suggests that the trio's listed limitations can be viewed as carryover from last week, when all managed to play through their respective injuries in Sunday's divisional-round win over the Saints. Like last week, expect Evans to eventually enter this weekend's NFC Championship Game against the Packers without an injury designation.

JANUARY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Makes one catch count Evans brought in one of three targets for a three-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers' 30-20 divisional-round win over the Saints on Sunday.

Impact On an evening when the Buccaneers passing game cooled off significantly, Evans tied a season-low figure in receptions while just exceeding his low-water mark in yards. However, the multi-time Pro Bowler at least made his one reception count, as it allowed Tampa Bay to overcome a 6-3 second-quarter deficit. Evans didn't appear to show any limitations with respect to the hyperextended knee he suffered back in Week 17, and he'll look to bounce back with a much more productive environment in what may be challenging weather at Lambeau Field during next Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

JANUARY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for divisional round Evans (knee) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's NFC divisional-round matchup against the Saints, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Evans managed a trio of limited practice sessions this week while continuing to recover from a hyperextended left knee sustained Week 17, and Jenna Laine of ESPN reports that he hope to be "closer to 100 percent" in New Orleans. The star wideout was only able to log one limited practice prior to the wild-card win over Washington, in which he gutted out his injury while catching six passes for 119 yards. His increased practice activity this week would seem to reinforce the notion that Evans will be at or near top form versus the Saints.

JANUARY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in practice Evans (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

Impact Back-to-back limited practices put Evans ahead of where he was last week. He logged just one limited session leading up to Tampa Bay's win over Washington, ultimately catching six passes for 119 yards while playing 84 percent of defensive snaps. There's little reason to think he'd miss the game against New Orleans this Sunday, hoping to remedy his poor track record against the Saints. Evans has averaged only 51.4 yards per game in 13 career matchups, struggling against top CB Marshon Lattimore the past couple seasons.

JANUARY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited by knee injury Evans (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Impact After injuring his left knee in the regular-season finale, Evans wasn't the worse for wear this past Saturday at Washington. While logging a typical 84 percent of the snaps on offense, he turned 10 targets into six catches for 119 yards. The Bucs appear to be managing Evans' reps to kick off prep for the divisional round, but he'll have two more chances to elevate to full participation before the weekend. Notably, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports Evans feels he can be "closer to 100 percent" by Sunday, which is certainly an encouraging indicator considering how well he performed against Washington just six days removed from the initial injury.

JANUARY 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Excels in wild-card win Evans (knee) secured six of 10 targets for 119 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-23 wild-card win over Washington on Saturday night.

Impact Six days after suffering an ugly hyperextension, Evans was not only active and playing without restrictions, but thriving as the Buccaneers' leader in receptions and receiving yards. The veteran made a number of impressive catches throughout the contest, and his target tally was second only to that of fellow wideout Chris Godwin's. Evans' 100-yard effort marked his third time eclipsing the century mark in the last four contests dating back to Week 15, and he'll look to continue offering a similar caliber of production in next weekend's divisional-round matchup.

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Saturday Evans (knee) is listed as active Saturday at Washington.

Impact When Evans' left leg got stuck in the end-zone turf Week 17, the potential for missed time seemed possible, but he progressed throughout the week, culminating in a limited practice Thursday and a listing of questionable for the wild-card round. Both Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network have since forecast that Evans would attempt to play through a knee injury, and indeed the wide receiver will be available to the Buccaneers offense Saturday. Having said that, Evans' workload may be capped to ensure he doesn't suffer a setback, which could result in more reps for Antonio Brown and Scotty Miller opposite Chris Godwin.

JANUARY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On track to play Evans (knee) is expected to play in Saturday's wild-card game against Washington, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact The Bucs likely won't make things official until closer to 8:15 p.m. ET, but it looks as if the star wide receiver is expected to play in the pivotal playoff game. Evans practiced just once this week after injuring his left knee early in the Bucs' Week 17 win over the Falcons.

JANUARY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will attempt to play Saturday Evans (knee) intends to play in Saturday's wild-card game in Washington, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Impact Evans officially is listed as questionable after managing just one limited practice Thursday, the result of injuring his left knee Week 17. Coach Bruce Arians told Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site that Evans is slated to be a "game-time decision" but believes the wideout "has a chance" to be available to the offense. Tampa Bay ultimately will make a decision on Evans' status about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

JANUARY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE