Mike Evans likely to return as Buccaneers visit Lions on Monday night

Tampa Bay expects a large boost connected the outside. Wide receiver Mike Evans is “likely to play” connected Monday against the Lions aft missing 3 games with a hamstring strain, according to reporting connected Saturday. He practiced Thursday, rested Friday, and participated again Saturday. The unit volition inactive marque a game-time call.

Coach Todd Bowles outlined wherefore Evans changes the field: “He draws a double-team. It helps the tally game, No. 1, due to the fact that it keeps a information retired of the container positive different country retired of the box. Obviously, he’s our go-to feline erstwhile helium is healthy. Because of his size, his height, his quality to set disconnected of routes and everything other — each small happening helium does causes a occupation for the different team, and it makes our different guys better.”

Egbuka’s presumption remains uncertain

Receiver Emeka Egbuka “has a existent chance” to formal aft a astonishment constricted signifier Saturday, contempt missing Thursday and Friday with a Week 6 hamstring strain. An MRI earlier successful the week indicated a mild injury. “It’s possible. It’s not definite,” Bowles said. “It’s gonna spell each the mode up until crippled time. He wants to play, but that depends connected however helium feels and however helium looks.” If helium cannot go, helium is expected to person a changeable adjacent week astatine New Orleans.

The Buccaneers ruled retired aggregate contributors: moving backmost Bucky Irving (foot sprain, enarthrosis subluxation), wide receiver Chris Godwin (fibula), moving backmost Josh Williams (concussion), and close defender Luke Haggard (shoulder). The enactment remains bladed with Cody Mauch connected injured reserve, truthful extortion and tally fits volition request speedy adjustments.

Tampa Bay enters astatine 5–1 aft a 30–19 triumph implicit San Francisco, sitting atop the NFC. Detroit fell to 4–2 with a 30–17 nonaccomplishment to Kansas City and stands 2nd successful the NFC North. With Evans trending up and Egbuka close, Tampa Bay’s passing crippled could regain balance, provided some receivers wide last checks nether the lights astatine Ford Field.