Mike Evans Injury Update: What Fantasy Owners Need to Know About Bucs WR Status Ahead of Week 11

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will be in Canton, Ohio one day as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Evans has been a member of the Buccaneers since the 2014 season, being selected as the seventh overall pick. Since then, he’s been named to six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. He even set an NFL record last season of having the most consecutive 1,000 yard seasons as he recorded his 11th in a row.

As Evans looked for another productive season in 2025, his season was interrupted suffering an early season injury that put him on injured reserve.

What Happened to Mike Evans?

In the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions, Mike Evans left the game with a double injury. Looking to catch a deep ball down the field, Evans laid out for a catch, and landed on his side, banging his head and shoulder against the turf.

Hope #MikeEvans will be ok
Hits head on turf
Visual signs of concussion
No way to be cleared to return regardless of exam
Wishing him the best pic.twitter.com/LEVswNYRYh

— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 21, 2025

Evans would leave the game and wouldn’t return. Evans suffered a concussion, but even worse, a broken collarbone that put him on injured reserve.

When Is Mike Evans Coming Back?

The earliest that Mike Evans can return is in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs have to designate him to return back to practice, which if they did so before Sunday, would allow him to play in Week 14.

The initial fear is that Evans would possibly have to miss the entire season, but there’s a big chance he returns before the end of the regular season or for the postseason.

Mike Evans Fantasy Outlook

Mike Evans has been Mr. Reliable for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the last decade. He’s recorded 11-straight 1,000 yard seasons but that won’t happen this year as he’s missed extensive time with his shoulder injury.

Prior to his injury, Evans recorded 14 receptions for 140 yards and one receiving touchdown in four games played.

Regardless of when Evans returns whether it’s Week 14, Week 18, or the postseason, he’s a must start, as he proven year after year how reliable he is.

Fantasy Replacements For Mike Evans This Week

If you still have Mike Evans on your roster and have been flipping through receivers to play in fantasy, there could be a few gems on the waiver wire this week to pick up.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin is till available in many leagues, and has had four touchdowns in the last four games. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson could be a solid pickup with Evans and Godwin (likely) still out.

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