The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped a 24-9 decision to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Monday night, but that wasn't the extent of their losses in Week Seven. Wide receiver Mike Evans, the most decorated offensive player in franchise history, sustained a broken clavicle in the second quarter that, according to Head Coach Todd Bowles, would keep him out "mostly towards the end of the year."
Evans, who was making his return after missing three games to a hamstring strain, was injured while trying to catch a deep ball down the middle of the field. He got his hands on the ball despite tight coverage but was unable to maintain possession upon hitting the ground. He was quickly ruled out of the game due to both the shoulder injury and a concussion.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has put up MVP-caliber passing numbers despite a seemingly endless string of injuries to his top pass-catchers, was more concerned about his teammate than the state of the Buccaneers' offense moving forward.
"I mean, obviously, for the team, it's not great," said Mayfield after the game. "But, for him, I hate it. From seeing him work each day in-person, whether he's healthy or hurt, just how he attacks each day, it just sucks. You never like to see that, whether it's a teammate or not, but especially when it's Mike. Unfortunate, but guys [will be] trying to step up and play for him."
The injury almost certainly will end Evans' record streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He is the first player in NFL history to open his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons – no one else has more than six in a row – and his streak matches that of Jerry Rice for the longest at any point in a player's career. If the streak ends, it will do nothing to tarnish a Hall-of-Fame career highlighted by 106 touchdown receptions, the 10th most in league history.
But Evans is not done helping his team in 2025. The Buccaneers have serious playoff aspirations and if he can return late in the season that would only help the team's postseason push. In the meantime, Mayfield is certain that the 12th-year veteran will be an asset to the team's mostly young receiving corps in the months ahead.
"I mean, it's like I said, very unfortunate, but Mike's a professional," said Mayfield. "He'll handle it the best way he possibly can. Being injured and not being able to play is one thing, but I know Mike will be there and support the guys no matter what. And that's really just a testament to who he is, and that's not easy to do. Sometimes it's hard to stand around and watch when you know you want to be out there and contribute, but Mike will help our guys out in any way he can."
