Buccaneers Give Promising Injury Update on Superstar WR
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
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.
Colts Superstar’s Heartbreaking Story Before His NFL Breakthrough
In the world of professional football, many players are celebrated for their remarkable on-field accomplishments. However, behind every standout athlete is a personal story filled with struggles, triumphs, and the raw determination to succeed despite the odds. For Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, his journey to NFL stardom is not just about his speed, strength, and skill on the field, but about the resilience he showed in overcoming personal hardships and family challenges.
Jonathan Taylor’s story begins in a place of emotional adversity. His parents divorced when he was very young, and as a result, Taylor’s childhood was marked by instability and separation. With both parents moving on to build new families, Taylor found himself navigating a complicated family dynamic that left him feeling emotionally distant from his biological parents. Raised by his mother, and later supported by his extended family, Taylor had to learn to cope with the absence of his father and the challenges of growing up in a fractured family.
"Growing up without both parents in the same household was tough," Taylor admitted in an exclusive interview. "But I was lucky to have my mom and my extended family to keep me grounded. I didn’t always have what others had, but I knew they loved me, and that kept me going."
Despite the emotional toll of his early life, Taylor turned to football as a source of strength. It wasn’t just a game for him; it was his way of escaping the emotional chaos and finding his identity. His natural talent for running the ball quickly caught the attention of coaches, and by the time he reached high school, Taylor was already standing out as one of the best players on the field. The game became his sanctuary — a place where he could leave behind his personal struggles and focus on doing what he loved.
"Football was the one thing I could always control," Taylor said. "It didn’t matter what was going on at home, I could always pour everything into the game. It gave me a way to express myself and escape the challenges I was facing."
Taylor’s college career at Wisconsin only further solidified his reputation as a future NFL star. His relentless work ethic and explosive play on the field helped him become one of the top running backs in the nation. But even as his athletic accomplishments piled up, Taylor still carried the weight of his difficult upbringing. The emotional scars from his childhood were never far behind, and the fear of not being good enough or living up to expectations stayed with him.
When the Indianapolis Colts selected Jonathan Taylor in the 2020 NFL Draft, it was a dream come true — but it also marked a pivotal moment in his journey. His success in the draft wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was a victory over the adversity he had faced in his life. The moment he signed his first NFL contract was more than just a milestone in his career; it was a personal triumph that validated the years of hard work and sacrifice.
"The first contract I signed with the Colts was a huge moment for me, but it wasn’t just about football," Taylor shared. "It was about showing myself, and the people who supported me, that I could make it. That no matter what I went through, I could rise above and succeed."
One of the most emotional moments in Taylor’s journey came when his father, who had been absent for much of his life, reached out to congratulate him on his success. Despite the years of distance, the moment marked a kind of reconciliation — a bittersweet recognition of the emotional wounds that had been healed along the way.
"Having my dad reach out to me after all these years, that was powerful," Taylor said. "It wasn’t easy, but I’ve learned that you can’t let the past define who you are or where you’re going."
Jonathan Taylor’s story is one of resilience, strength, and redemption. It’s a reminder that success in the NFL isn’t just about athletic ability. It’s about overcoming the personal challenges that life throws at you, using those struggles to fuel your passion, and proving that greatness can be achieved despite a difficult past.
As Taylor continues to electrify fans with his incredible talent on the field, his journey will serve as an inspiration to countless others. His story proves that no matter the challenges or setbacks you face, with the right mindset, support, and determination, you can rise above and achieve greatness — both on and off the field.
