Buccaneers Receive Encouraging Recovery Timeline Update on Mike Evans
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been waiting nearly six weeks for clarity on Mike Evans’ fractured collarbone.
As PFSN noted, that patience may finally be paying off.
While Evans has yet to return to practice, multiple reports, including updates from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, indicate that the veteran wideout remains on track with the original 6-8 week recovery window.
Auman noted that the expectation has always been a “longer-side” timetable, but was very optimistic about his return:
“Evans could be available at the end of the regular season and for the playoffs.”
Tampa Bay has not provided a formal update this week, but the tone from league insiders reflects growing optimism rather than concern.
Evans’ Injury and How It Has Reshaped Tampa Bay’s Offense
Evans’ 2025 season has been a nightmare.
He started the year with a hamstring strain that cost him early practice time and limited his production in September.
In just four games, he only had 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Then, the major setback came in Week 7 against the Lions.
Evans absorbed a hard hit to the shoulder area while attempting to secure a deep contested catch.
The hit resulted in a fractured collarbone.
This injury has a notoriously tricky recovery process due to how easily the bone can be reinjured before fully healing.
The absence of Evans’ physicality, contested-catch prowess, and red-zone ability has forced the Buccaneers to adapt their entire offense.
With Evans out, the offense has mostly gone through rookie Emeka Egbuka emerging as the top option and tight end Cade Otton seeing expanded usage.
Compared to the first six games of the season where Tampa Bay’s offense was among the top of the league, they have struggled recently and injuries have been a huge part of it.
Evans’ potential return could spark this offense and get them back to their early-season form.
A 1,000-Yard Streak in Jeopardy
Evans entered the year with one of the most remarkable streaks in NFL history.
He has 11 straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
With only 140 yards entering Week 12 and limited games left to play, that streak is almost certain to end.
But his potential return remains crucial to Tampa Bay’s postseason hopes.
At 6-4 with the NFC South tightening, Tampa Bay faces a defining stretch beginning in Week 13.
If Evans returns by Week 15, he would be available for two late-season matchups against the Panthers and a possible division-deciding finale.
Even if the milestone streak ends, Evans impact has never been about numbers alone.
His presence changes how defenses cover the Bucs, elevates Mayfield’s confidence, and brings back a dimension the Buccaneers offense that simply can’t be replicated.
For now, the recovery timeline remains encouraging.
The Bucs could not be more excited for their legendary wide receiver to return.
Eagles blockbuster trade proposal swaps picks for $160 million superstar
The Philadelphia Eagles were in desperate need of edge rusher help ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
In typical Howie Roseman fashion, he went out and pulled off a big trade with the Miami Dolphins, acquiring edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who has already made a huge impact in his first two games.
While Phillips will help the rest of the year, he's also slated to be a free agent in 2026, so there's no telling if he'll be back. And, with the Eagles not having much behind him, Philly's situation along the edge after this season is murky.
We can say for certain that Howie will be aggressive in making sure the Eagles shore up the position, but how he goes about that remains to be seen.
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay believes that a trade for Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett is something Philly could explore in 2026.
That's why he proposes a trade between Philly and Cleveland that sends Garrett to the Eagles in exchange for three first-round picks.
- Eagles get: DE Myles Garrett
- Browns get: 2026 1st-round pick, 2027 1st-round pick, 2029 1st-round pick
"If the Eagles continue to struggle and crash out of the playoffs early, Garrett would be the perfect addition to help this squad return to prominence in 2026," Kay said of the proposal. "It would likely cost Philadelphia something in the neighborhood of the trio of firsts it was rumored to be interested in giving up, but the prospects acquired from those late-in-the-round choices would have a tough time collectively making anywhere close to the impact Garrett would on the organization."
Prior to the trade deadline, there was a rumor floating around that said Roseman was willing to part with three first-round draft picks to acquire Garrett if he became available, so we know the Eagles general manager would probably make this trade.
Whether or not the Browns would remains to be seen, though.
Cleveland has remained steadfast in keeping Garrett, but we also know Garrett has not been happy with all the losing the Browns have seen and he has requested to be traded before, so it's not outlandish to think he could do so again.
While it would be tough to part with Garrett, there's no denying that acquiring three first-round picks would offer a huge boost to the Browns' rebuild, even though they would be late-round picks.
Not to mention, with Garrett set to turn 30 next month, he could be on the decline by the time the Browns get it together, if that even happens.
As we mentioned, one problem for the Eagles will be that their first-round picks will be late in the round, so most teams making the same offer will have an advantage.
That said, if Garrett does end up hitting the trade block during the offseason, the Eagles will almost certainly be viewed as a favorite to land him and we like their chances as long as Howie is in the fold.
