We now have some clarity on the expected workload of Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans.
Evans, who was activated off injured reserve on Wednesday, is going to play on Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons.
However, he is not going to play every down, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
"From Tampa: Mike Evans good to go tonight. Won’t play every down but will be in on the key ones," Fowler reported on Thursday afternoon.
This was the expectation after Evans missed a bunch of time due to a broken collarbone. We've also seen the Bucs take this approach before.
Back in Week 12 when fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin returned from injury, the Buccaneers limited his workload to just 25 snaps, so we'd expect about that many in Week 15 for Evans.
RELATED: Start or sit advice for Evans, Godwin, Egbuka
For our fantasy football folks out there who were hoping to start Evans this week upon his return, a limited workload makes Evans a very risky play.
Less snaps, less opportunities for fantasy points.
Of course, Evans will likely still be a top red zone target, which will give him chances to salvage a potential low-yardage output, but it's hard to trust in that situation in the fantasy football playoffs.
Adding to that, Evans wasn't exactly highly productive when healthy. In the three full games he played in this season, Evans ranked as WR33 overall, which doesn't equate to a must-start player every week.
Evans will also be shaking off some rust, so he might not be at his best when he does see the field on Thursday night.
It's not easy to leave a historically productive player like Evans on the bench, but that's the best bet for the veteran wideout in his first game back.
More NFL News
- Packers expected to cut ties with $47 million wide receiver in 2026
- Chiefs' playoff chances dim, 2026 cap situation looks even more bleak
- Chiefs named possible landing spot for Jets, Jags, Colts free agents
- Ravens named possible landing spot for Cowboys' pending free agent