HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On what, specifically, he meant by saying WR Mike Evans could return at the "end of the year")

"End of the regular season."

(On if he has spoken with WR Mike Evans since his injury)

"Not yet, no."

(On how WR Mike Evans is doing)

"He's doing well."

(On whether WR Mike Evans' return would require a playoff run or a "deep" playoff run)

"It's going to be touch-and-go. We'll see as we get toward the end of the year. It's definitely going to be the end of the year – hopefully it's before that. If we get to the playoffs and go from there, it might be in the playoffs depending on how it heals."

(On how hard it is to turn the page, emotionally, when a player like WR Mike Evans gets injured)

"Honestly, for a coach, it's any one of our players. They don't have to be a star for us to care. That's normal. When any one of the guys goes down, it's a problem. The fact that it's such a decorated guy, there's more to it, but he would tell you the same [thing] – we all feel the same way when somebody goes down. It's crushing considering what he's done for the team, what he's done for the league, what he's done, period. That's hard to swallow when you see somebody that works that hard and goes through all that and has all those accolades go down when he just came back. That was just part of it."

(On clarifying that WR Mike Evans' significance to the Tampa Bay region)

"He does everything. He does a lot for this city. He does a lot for this city – he's done a lot for this city."

(On whether WR Mike Evans will need surgery to repair his broken clavicle, and if that alters his recovery timeline)

"It's something still being discussed, so we'll go from there."

(On if he's more inclined to rest a "50/50" player this week given that the team's Bye Week is afterwards)

"If they're healthy enough to play, we're going to play them. But if there's any doubt, we're not going to play them at all. They've got to be ready to play, and we've got to see that they can play before we put them out on the field. With the bye week coming, if a guy's very iffy, he'd probably be more inclined to not play if he wasn't ready to play."

(On if the results of OLB Haason Reddick's MRI have come back yet)

"It hasn't come back yet – still waiting on it."

(On if it appears that OLB Haason Reddick will miss some time)

"It does."

(On if there's an update on the status of RB Bucky Irving)

"Nothing new – working, getting better."

(On the likelihood of WR Chris Godwin Jr. and RB Bucky Irving playing this week)

"They'd fall into that 'iffy' category like [I] just talked about."

(On if there's any concern that WR Chris Godwin Jr.'s injury puts his season in jeopardy)

"It's a week-to-week thing right now. I don't think it puts the season in jeopardy."

(On if there's an update on the status of WR Jalen McMillan)

"He's getting better. I don't have a specific date for you either, but he's definitely getting better. When he gets out of the brace, we'll see, but he's definitely feeling better."

(On clarifying that WR Jalen McMillan is still wearing a neck brace)

"Yes."

(On whether Week 7 at Detroit was the first game of the season where the overall pass protection 'wasn't up to standard')

"Just looking at the film, there were times it was up to standard and there was nobody open – he was holding the ball back there and [guys] couldn't get open. It's a little bit of both. At the same time, a couple guys did a good job up there and a couple of guys [have] just got to be better blocking-wise – we've got to be better schematically. But I thought, a lot of times, they did a good job covering those guys up down the field."

(On if he teaches his players to try and punch the ball out to cause fumbles, similar to a fumble that the Lions generated against Tampa Bay in Week 7)

"We want the ball out – we always want turnovers. It's something you really practice in the summer and as the season goes, but the more banged up you get, the less you get to do those types of things on walkthrough days."

(On if there's an update on RB Josh Williams' concussion protocol status)

"He hasn't passed yet, but he started running and practicing last week, so hopefully soon he should pass."

(On how a short week impacts the team's ability to prepare for the upcoming opponent)

"The coaches have to get started early the week before – they've got to get started. Player-wise, it's just a mentality thing – Wednesday is really Tuesday and vice versa as the week goes on. We go through these things on Thursday night games; you go through these things on Monday night games. It's a mental thing and it's a mind thing. They've developed good mental toughness this year so far, so we've just got to keep building on that, but it definitely impacts the body."

(On what concerns him about facing the New Orleans Saints)

"It's a division rival. All our division games are tough – all the games, period. It's hard to win in this league. We know it's a tough place to play. They've beaten us before plenty of times [and] we've beaten them some, so we're preparing for a battle."

(On his assessment of New Orleans Saints QB Spencer Rattler's play)

"He's definitely moving around the pocket a lot more – he's running a lot more, using his legs. He has a strong arm. We had a rough one last week as well, so we're trying to get over that part of it…He's playing good football for them. He's throwing the deep ball well. He's connecting with [Chris] Olave and [Rashid] Shaheed very well, and they've still got [Alvin] Kamara, so he's got a lot of weapons around him."

(On how the absence of OLB Haason Reddick will impact the workloads of outside linebackers Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell Jr.)

"We've got guys on the practice squad that we need to bring up for special teams when 'Nelly's' (Anthony Nelson) load is going to increase. Obviously, 'Bras's' (Chris Braswell Jr.) role is going to increase as well. So, the guys on the practice squad have to step up and fill in [special] teams-wise while 'Nelly' plays more defense."

(On what OLB Chris Braswell Jr. needs to do to take the next step)

"He's got to get more reps. From a mental standpoint, I think when he just pins his ears back and lets it go, he looks like the 'Bras' (Chris Braswell Jr.) that we know."

(On S Tykee Smith's performance this season, and if Bowles is at all surprised at how well Smith is playing)

"I'm not surprised. You saw it last year when we got him. You saw it the first day of practice when he just did everything like a pro and he kind of knew what he was doing out there, and he really turned it up a notch in the game. He's been playing great football for us – one of our key pieces over there. Last week, he played a hell of a ball game. Nothing surprises me with him – you know he's going to be there on Sunday to have your back. He's one of [those] guys [where if] you go down an alley, you want to fight with and you know he's going to be right there. He's smart, very intelligent, he's athletic. He knows how to play the game, and he's got that old-school mentality. He understands what it takes to win."

(On whether RB Sean Tucker needs to get more snaps considering the current workload for RB Rachaad White)

"It's the way the game went. We definitely want to get Sean more snaps – we talked about that as a staff and we understand he has to get more snaps. Rachaad can't take that much of a load, week in and week out, or something is going to happen to him as well. So, we've got to get Sean's reps up."

(On rotating CB Benjamin Morrison with CB Jamel Dean, and if he's pleased with how that rotation has been working)

"Dean has been playing great ball – we love where he's at right now. It's okay still to bring [Benjamin] Morrison along and get him some series in there between them, but Dean plays the bulk of the game. We're happy with the reps we're getting him and we're happy with the reps we're getting Morrison with. It's been going pretty [well]."

(On if CB Benjamin Morrison will ever rotate in for CB Zyon McCollum)

"It's been [Jamel Dean's] side. As he gets that side down, we'll start to rotate him on the other side."

(On whether the rotation could help CB Jamel Dean)

"He's in a good place. We started this at the beginning of the year as soon as [Benjamin] Morrison got healthy. It's something he's used to – [Jamel] Dean is used to it, [Benjamin] Morrison is used to it. The guys understand their roles very well. It helps with the competition over there, as well. Dean has been playing great football [and] Morrison has been playing solid football when we put him out there. Right now, we're very happy with where we're at, and I think both guys are benefiting from that."

(On the possibility of adding a player via trade at the deadline)

"It's always possible, but we've got to get to the Bye week. Right now, we're trying to find guys to dress as opposed to [trying to find] guys to put down. We're always looking – you never say never – but we don't have anybody immediately on the radar."

(On if it's of paramount importance to stop the explosive, run-after-catch plays that have happened several times throughout the season against Tampa Bay)

"Easily. It's been three a game – at least three or four a game – and then they play great defense. We've talked about that as a group. It's just one thing, but it can't be one thing on the defensive side of the ball for you to play great defense. We give up about three plays for 150-plus yards, and the rest of the game you look solid – [it] can't happen. We've got to be better there. They understand that, coaches understand that, and we've got to get that fixed."

(On the offense's run-pass balance in Week 7 at Detroit)

"We know that's not a good formula for success. We can't run the ball 11 [or] 12 times and throw it 50-plus times. We've got to be more balanced than that. We were in the game enough – 14–3 at the half – for us to run it a little bit more. The circumstances got crazy at the end, but we've got to be more balanced than that and we've got to establish more of a run game."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On him appearing better than after Monday night's game in Week 7)

"Walking a lot better than I was Monday night, yeah"

(On attempting 50 passes in the game against the Detroit Lions)

"A lot of those passes -- a ton of them obviously [came] in that two-minute situation or the 19-play drive. I think the numbers are a little bit more skewed, but yeah, [we] still want to be able to be a little bit more balanced. That is just [because] receivers are going to be tired, offensive line is going to be tired, and with that defensive front, you never want to drop back 50 times. It is not really fair for anybody, but it is just the nature of the game -- the way it was flowing. If we can prevent getting into that situation, it would be best."

(On what he thinks was the cause of some passes against the Detroit Lions going over the receivers)

"Some misses, I think a couple of them maybe not being on time, trying to force it and it ends up being higher than I want it to. [I] just [have] to be accurate. I think it was just one of those days. [I] was not perfect, and in those games, you have to be closer to perfect than I was."

(On how hard it is to lose WR Mike Evans to injury and have to move on to the next play)

"Unfortunately, from the business standpoint, you have to move forward. You cannot focus on that, but from the personal point of that, it just sucks. It is the nature of this game; guys get hurt and you do not like to see it, but you just have to support him in any way we can, and I know he will do the same like I mentioned after the game. Like I said, unfortunate, especially for Mike [Evans] being the guy he is -- the player he is -- the leader for this organization. We are going to have to find ways to fill the shoes that [he left]. It takes everybody at that point because it is Mike Evans."

(On if he expected the Detroit Lions to play man coverage due to their injured secondary going into the game)

"If you look at, statistically, what they were doing prior, you can expect a lot of man, but where they were at personnel-wise, we were not exactly expecting it. [We have] to be able to adjust and adapt and get back to getting some one-on-one routes and figuring out how beat their man coverage. They did a good job of scheming that up and playing aggressive and saying, 'This is who we are. We are still going to do it no matter who is in there,' so, hats off to them."

(On if the team is itching to get back on the field from a mental standpoint after a loss)

"Yeah, I think you look at that -- I know it is not a Thursday week -- but similar on short weeks, if you lose, you want to get out there quicker rather than later to get it out of your system. Especially when you have a group like we have, they understand what we have to do to get the job done to find wins. Our guys will handle it the right way, heal up as quick as we can and go from there."

(On if facing the New Orleans Saints helps with preparation on shorter weeks due to Tampa Bay' familiarity with them as a team)

"Personnel-wise, being familiar with them, understanding that, that does give you a little bit of a head start on the preparation. [It is] just understanding the system that Brandon Staley calls and knowing that it is similar to a Vic Fangio-type system. Top-down defense, they do not like to get shots over their head. [I am] looking at it like that, trying to relate it as much as you can, but also looking at specifically what are they doing, and our guys will be able to handle that."

(On what the Detroit Lions did on third down plays to make it tough to advance the drive)

"They did a good job mixing up when they were showing man coverage and dropping out into some zone stuff. On top of that, we just have to -- as a skill group -- execute better. That falls on my shoulders, so a lot of that is on me and [I] just have to be able to execute on third [downs]."

(On if there was any miscommunication with some wide receiver routes ending in the same area)

"A few of those, yeah. Sometimes, especially the way that they play, as collision as they are in the secondary, getting hands on people, you get bumped off your route, so trying to speed up in your head the timing of the concept to get over to where you are supposed to be. The timing of it gets thrown off a little bit, so that is why you see it. [We] just have to have a little bit more dispersion on the route concepts."

(On if it was hard to listen to the play-call due to the loud environment of Ford Field)

"It is just a loud environment. They do a good job of understanding when they are supposed to be loud. The hardest part is when you are trying to call the play [and] hear the play. After that, you have nonverbal communication with signals and whatnot. They understand when they are supposed to be loud, and they do a good job of that."

(On what the Detroit Lions did on defense to contain him in the pocket and not allow scrambles)

"To be honest with you, they were extremely fundamental in the rush integrity in the gaps. On top of that, when you have Derrick Barnes as the spy, [it is] not exactly easy because he is lined up over an offensive lineman, so you have to account for him in the pass rush, but he also was really not doing any pressures, so he is just waiting for me to step up. Only a few shots there where I was able to step up and have a free lane to get a throw off, but they did a really good job."

(On how surprised he was to have WR Emeka Egbuka out there against the Detroit Lions after suffering a hamstring injury in the second half the week prior)

"Not surprising for me just after communicating with him. The more important part of that is how professional he is, understanding what he has to with his rehab to get right [and] to be able to play on Monday night. Obviously, the extra day probably helped him too. He is just an all-around professional."

(On if he talked to WR Mike Evans since Monday night)

"Talked to him after the game. [I] have not seen him today. The combination of things between the [clavicle] and the head, he is going through it a little bit right now, but he will be alright. He is as tough as they come, especially mentally. He is made for it, but we know it is a long season. He is going to heal up and hopefully be there for the end of the year and playoff push."

(On what he has seen from the New Orleans Saints defense)

"Like I mentioned earlier, the top-down secondary. [They are] truly trying not to let you have shots down the field. They are not as reroute as much as [Vic] Fangio teaches it with Cooper DeJean, but Alontae Taylor is a physical nickel. He really makes things go things go in the secondary. When you have the linebacker duo of Pete [Werner] and Demario [Davis], that is really where it starts. Being able to communicate based on formation and motions, those guys get everybody going and you definitely have to always know where No. 56 is."

(On how he makes sure the team's mentally prepared to move on after an injury to a teammate)

"Until we just lost, nobody was complaining or moaning about it. It is the nature of the game. You know you have a game every week until your bye, so you figure it out and move on. You do not have to have an extra speech, guys know they have to get ready -- physically as well as you possibly can to play and go from there."

(On if he is impressed with what Head Coach Dave Canales is doing with the Carolina Panthers)

"I said it to you guys right when Dave [Canales] got hired there. I think Bryce [Young] needed the right people around him, and Dave is a guy that instills confidence in everybody. [It is] just how positive he is, that is how he has always been. I am not shocked by it; Dave is a great guy, great coach, and so he is going to get guys ready to go. Sometimes, it takes time, but I think that is why you are seeing the true change in that organization now. It is everything that he has been doing."

(On what he learns from a loss like the one against the Detroit Lions)

"For me, I look at it schematically. What did they do to disrupt what we were trying to get done and where did we go wrong when we had things dialed up? For me, just execution, efficiency, finding more completions, trusting our guys and just need to get off to a hot start and get it into the guy's hands and get the guys on the same page in the run game, whatever it may be and go from there."

(On what makes the rivalry between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints so intense)

"It has not exactly been clean play from their part when we play them. It is a physical game; it is what it is. You expect it [from a] division rival... Yeah, not much else to say besides for the fact that I do not like them."

WIDE RECEIVER TEZ JOHNSON

(On how the team can rebound from a loss to the Detroit Lions)

"[It is a] long season. We never look at anything like a loss, we always learn from those mistakes that we make in the game. [We] just go back to work and keep pushing. [We] trust the coaches' gameplan and we go out there and execute as a team."

(On WR Mike Evans getting injured and how the team can move forward)

"[I am] devastated to see Mike [Evans] go down. He is a leader in the room. We know we are all going to stand behind him, praying for him and his family during this time because this is a hard time for him. He had a lot at stake for this season and a lot that he wanted to accomplish. As his teammates, we are going to continue lift him up and move forward and just play, keeping him in mind every time."

(On the greatest lesson he has learned from WR Mike Evans)

"You [have] to always be prepared. You never know when your number is called, you never know what is going to happen during this game. Anything can happen in this league; as you have seen around the league, a lot of teams are not so good at being really good teams. It is the first for me seeing stuff like that because usually the better teams do not let teams like... beat them, so you just always have to be prepared."

(On if he is gaining confidence as the season goes along)

"My confidence is getting up a little bit. Allowing guys like Garrett Greene to just come to me on the sideline and be like, 'One mistake, do not let it waterfall, just go out there and be the best you can be,' and kind of pick me up off the ground when I was kind of in my head when I made a few mistakes. Thank you for Garrett Greene for that, for sure."

(On his touchdown play where he hurdled and spun around defenders)

"Yeah, I kind of pressed every button on the controller during that play. I [saw] Aidan Hutchinson chasing me the whole time, and in my head, I am like, 'Please do not grab me.' When I spun, I [thought] he was going to try and kill me, but I think he thought I was down, but it is a touchdown now."

(On the younger guys in the wide receiver room needing to step up after WR Mike Evans goes down with an injury)

"The younger guys are just always keying on the little things, and we still [have] veterans in that room. We still have [Sterling] Shepard and [have] 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan) in there helping too even though he is not out there with us. You still have those voices in the room that you listen to and try and get those little details from them and try to tie it to your game. With a man being down, yes it hurts, but just knowing when Mike [Evans] was hurt, he would still communicate with us the best he could. It just shows you the leader and the Hall of Fame guy he is."

-BUCCANEERS-