Buccaneers Give Promising Injury Update on Superstar WR
For the last week, the talk around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has started to turn from doomsday scenarios regarding injuries to talk that runs more along the lines of “watch out when they get their full roster back.”
That’s because the Buccaneers have been winning while missing enough Pro Bowl talent that most teams would just curl up in the fetal position — just look at what’s going on with the Washington Commanders right now. he
Now, for the Buccaneers, the focus can turn to who is coming back and when they’re going to come back — a list of players that could start to return to the field in Week 7 for a prime time Monday Night Football matchup on the road against the Detroit Lions.
Most noticeably, star wide receiver Mike Evans returned to practice in a limited role this week after missing the last 2 games with a hamstring injury, but had a scheduled day off on Friday.
“Bucs injury report is out and Mike Evans did not practice but were told it was a scheduled day off,” Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud wrote on his official X account. “Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Josh Williams are still out. (Punter) Riley Dixon was back (after taking) personal day.”
Evans Could Return in Nick of Time
If Evans does indeed return against the Lions, it will not have come at a more critical time for the Buccaneers, as no position group on the roster has been hit harder by the injury bug than the wide receivers.
Godwin missed the final 9 games of the 2024 season, the playoff and the first 3 games of the 2025 season as he recovered from a dislocated left ankle. When he returned for 2 games in Week 4 and Week 5, he was ineffective and missed Week 6 with irritation in that same injured ankle.
Second year wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who scored 8 touchdowns as a rookie, is out until at least Week 13 with a severely sprained neck.
The latest injury to the group is star rookie and first round pick Egbuka, who is fourth in the NFL with 27 receptions for 459 yards and 5 touchdowns but injured his hamstring in Week 6 and hasn’t practiced all week.
Want one more? Running back and 1,000 yard rusher Irving missed last week’s game and likely won’t play against the Lions, either with a shoulder issue.
If Evans does return against the Lions, he’ll be running alongside a pair of wide receivers who seem hungry and determined to make their own names for themselves — rookie Tez Johnson and second year special teams standout Kam Johnson both scored their first career touchdowns in a 30-19 Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
More Injury News From Buccaneers in Week 7
The Buccaneers haven’t had the same bad injury luck on the defensive side of the ball and part of the injury report ahead of Week 7 showed a pair of players who could be critical against the Lions are back in full swing.
Both cornerbacks Zyon McCollum (thumb) and Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) have been battling injury issues the last few weeks but were listed as full practice participants both Thursday and Friday — critical because the Lions have 2 of the NFL’s best wide receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Flacco’s Bengals Heroics Spark Mixed Feelings in Cleveland
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was not watching as his former quarterback, Joe Flacco, lit up the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
Flacco turned back the clock and carved up the Steelers for 327 yards and three touchdowns. It included a clutch game-winning drive that gave the Bengals a 33-31 victory.
Flacco was the Browns’ opening day starter but was traded to the Bengals a week after being benched in favor of Dillon Gabriel. Stefanski didn’t catch the AFC North clash between Flacco’s Bengals and the Steelers, who beat the Browns 23-9 last week
“I did not, no. I’m definitely asleep on Thursday nights,” Stefanski said. “You’re always rooting for all of your friends around the league, and that really happens on a lot of teams. But, really mostly focused on our team and what we got in front of us.”
One member of the Browns who did tune in was star defensive end Myles Garrett.
“I think Joe looked like Joe. I mean, I’m happy that he went out there and got a win,” Garrett said. “He played how we know he can, and so he made plays when they needed him to. Got the ball out quick, put on the money down the field, looked great.”
Browns Myles Garrett Questions Offense Amid Skid
Garrett didn’t question Flacco’s success in Cincinnati, citing that it comes down to the personnel.
“I mean, all offenses are a little bit different, whether it’s the players that they have or the schemes that they run,” Garrett said. “So, you know, you got to make it work for with the guys that you have and figure it out from there.”
What Garrett questioned was the Browns’ recent game plan against the Steelers. Gabriel threw the ball 52 times and the Quinshon Judkins-led run game never got a chance to get going with the Browns chasing.
“I would have liked to see us stick to the run a little bit, especially with a dynamic playmaker like Quinshon, hell, even Dylan (Sampson),” Garrett said. “Both of them getting the ball, both of them have different styles, but effective runners in their own right. So, would like to see it, but they saw differently.”
Browns Offense Looking to Get on Track
The Browns’ offensive struggles have been well documented. Cleveland is averaging an NFL-worst 13.7 points per game and has been unable to produce explosive plays, particularly in the passing game.
Getting the offense on track Sunday might be tough with some inclement weather inbound. Rain and strong winds are expected, which could hamper Cleveland’s ability to pass the ball.
“I mean, you gotta spin it in the wind. Dillon does that pretty well,” Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. “Throws a pretty tight ball. Obviously, you got to play on time, you know, some balls that maybe get away with late, but if you’re playing on time, playing on rhythm, hopefully you’re pretty efficient still.”
Cleveland is a slight favorite for the first time this season as they host the 1-5 Miami Dolphins.
