The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been without one of their top offensive weapons since Week 7, when Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone. Since then, quarterback Baker Mayfield has had to make do without the team’s best wide receiver.
Now there are rumblings that Evans might return this weekend, as the Buccaneers look for a much-needed victory against the New Orleans Saints to keep their postseason hopes alive, as we enter the last month of the regular season.
NEWS: WR Mike Evans is having his practice window opened off IR, and he’ll return to practice today, per @RapSheet.
A quicker than expected return as Evans has been medically cleared. So both Jalen McMillan and Evans are close to returning‼️ #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/8jINkkbjAn
— SleeperBucs (@SleeperTBBUCS) December 3, 2025
Mike Evans Injury Update
Good news for Tampa Bay fans, wide receiver Mike Evans has been medically cleared and will return to practice this week. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Buccaneers have officially opened Evans’ 21-day practice window off injured reserve, allowing him to resume on-field work after recovering from his lower-body injury.
Is Mike Evans Playing Week 14?
While Evans’ clearance to practice is an encouraging sign, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play this weekend against the New Orleans Saints. The Buccaneers will use the practice window to evaluate how Evans responds to live reps and whether he’s truly ready for game action.
Given the timing of his activation, Week 14 might still come too soon, as the team could opt to monitor his conditioning and recovery for another week before bringing him back to the lineup. Tampa Bay has every reason to be cautious with its star receiver, especially with the Saints struggling and the postseason push still ahead.
Mike Evans Fantasy Outlook
Fantasy managers should view this as a major positive development, but don’t rush Evans into Week 14 lineups just yet. Even if he practices fully, the Buccaneers may ease him back or hold him out for one more game.
Evans remains a must-stash player, as his return for the second half of December could make a huge impact during the fantasy playoffs. Keep monitoring practice participation and team updates closely, if he’s upgraded to full sessions later in the week, he could quickly regain his WR2 upside once active.
Fantasy Replacements For Mike Evans If He Misses Week 14
Emeka Egbuka has proved to be the key receiver for the Buccaneers this season, but that would be too obvious a recommendation, as someone in your league is probably already playing him. See if you can find Cade Otton, who has 411 receiving yards for the Bucaneers so far. In its stead, if unavailable, see if you can get your hands on Sterling Shepard or Tez Johnson, who have 366 and 287 receiving yards, respectively.
Read More:
Will Alvin Kamara Play Week 14? Latest Injury Update And Fantasy Outlook on Saints RB
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Aaron Jones Injury Update: What Fantasy Owners Need to Know About Vikings RB Status Ahead of Week 14
NFL Teams On Bye Week 14: Full List Of Teams Missing In Action This Week Ft. New England Patriots
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