Will Mike Evans play in Week 15? Bucs coach gives injury update on star WR

Adam Schultz

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Will Mike Evans play in Week 15? Bucs coach gives injury update on star WR image

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a defining stretch in their season, with just four games left and their playoff hopes still hanging in the balance.

So, this would be an excellent time for reinforcements to arrive, right?

Receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are stepping up their efforts to come back in the coming weeks, but the general feeling is that Evans is closer than Jalen right now.

Given the Buccaneers are on a short week, playing Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons, Evans will no doubt be pushing to play.

But will he? Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard gave an update.

"Without having had any full-speed practices this week, we'll see how he progresses in terms of his chance at playing on Thursday," Grizzard said.

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Potential Evans return a game-changer for Buccaneers

With Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin back, the offense is beginning to get all its pieces back, with Evans the last of the "big three."

Recovery from a broken collarbone can be difficult to address, but Evans on the practice field last week was great news for his chances of returning in the coming weeks.

And Grizzard knows that when No. 13 is on the field, it's a game-changer.

“When he's out there, we know that from the defensive coordinator's perspective that him being on the field deserves attention,” Grizzard said. “So, within the game, how are they playing that, do they shift the coverage there? It could be a double in man coverage where they could have the safety over the top, which ultimately creates a softer coverage away from it."

That is the sort of player Tampa Bay could use right now, having lost four of its last five games.

A true difference maker in the passing game, Evans' return would be perfect for a Buccaneers team that needs help in the worst way right now.

Will that come on Thursday? Time will tell.

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Staff Writer