Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles announced on Monday that injured wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan might return to practice within the week. Reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirm that Evans” return is official, while McMillan is expected to have his practice window opened on Wednesday.
The Buccaneers have a 21-day period to activate both receivers from the injured reserve list. Evans began the season tied with the great Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons at 11. However, injuries have hindered his ability to break that record this year. After dealing with a hamstring problem earlier in the season, Evans suffered a broken clavicle during a Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions. He has participated in only four games this year, accumulating 140 yards on 14 receptions.
McMillan”s situation has been even more challenging. He has yet to see action in the 2025 season due to a severe neck injury sustained during the preseason, which included a significant strain and three fractures. The rookie wideout, a third-round draft pick from Washington, made a notable impact in the latter part of his rookie season in 2024, scoring seven touchdowns in his last five games while averaging five catches and 63 yards per game during that stretch.
Last season, both Evans and McMillan played pivotal roles in the NFL”s third-ranked passing offense. Currently, the Buccaneers” offensive performance has declined, ranking 19th, largely due to the absence of these two receivers and Chris Godwin, who has missed eight games due to injuries. However, with the potential return of Evans and McMillan, along with Godwin and rookie standout Emeka Egbuka, the Buccaneers” passing attack could see a significant turnaround.
Despite the numerous injuries that have impacted the team, the Buccaneers, boasting a 7-5 record, are on course to capture the NFC South title for the fifth consecutive year. The 7-6 Carolina Panthers are closely trailing them, with upcoming matchups in Weeks 16 and 18 that could be crucial for both teams. The return of Evans and McMillan for those critical games could enhance the Buccaneers” chances of maintaining their lead over their division rivals.
