The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to Detroit for a key primetime NFC showdown against the Lions on Monday Night Football, with Bucs WR Mike Evans on track to make his return to the field after recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 3. After a full practice Saturday, the future Hall of Famer is trending toward playing in the first half of the MNF doubleheader (7:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)
So is Mike Evans playing on Monday Night Football? There’s optimism in Tampa Bay that Evans will be back on the field. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, after practicing in full on Saturday, the ageless 32-year-old is “likely to play” on Monday night despite being listed as questionable.
Is Mike Evans Playing on Monday Night Football?
The veteran wideout returned to practice Thursday, rested Friday, and took part again Saturday — an indication he’s ready to return. And his return can't come soon enough, according to Bucs HC Todd Bowles
"He draws a double team," said Bowles. "It helps the run game, number one, because it keeps a safety out of the box, plus another corner out of the box. Obviously, he's our go-to guy when he is healthy. Because of his size, his height, his intelligence to adjust off of routes and everything else – every little thing he does causes a problem for the other team and it makes our other guys better."
That’s important for a Tampa Bay team that will already be without WR Chris Godwin (fibula), RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), and RG Luke Haggard (shoulder). Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, who has filled in impressively during Evans’ absence, is also questionable with a mild hamstring strain but has a “real chance” to play, per Schefter.
Evans was off to a solid start before the injury, catching 14 of 28 targets for 140 yards and a touchdown in less than three full games. He found the end zone in Week 3 and looked like his usual red-zone-centric self before exiting early.
If Evans plays, he’ll immediately reclaim WR1 duties in what could be a high-scoring matchup. Detroit’s secondary is dealing with multiple injuries and just gave up 270+ passing yards in consecutive weeks.
Mike Evans Fantasy Football Outlook
It should go without saying that if you haven’t taken Evans off your fantasy team’s IR, do so immediately after his return is made official. Unless you made a major trade or added a top-tier replacement, a healthy Evans will one of the best wide receivers on your roster — and he’s walking into a potential shootout on Monday Night Football.
Even coming off injury, Evans’ combination of size, 1-on-1 red-zone dominance, and contested-catch ability makes him a weekly must-start when active. He’s averaged 15.4 yards per catch over the past two seasons and scored at least 8 touchdowns in nine of his 11 NFL campaigns.
With Godwin and Irving out, the Buccaneers will lean heavily on Evans and Egbuka if both are cleared. Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield might well target Evans early and often, especially against a Lions defense missing multiple starters in the secondary.
Mike Evans PrizePicks Projections vs. Lions, Week 7
Evans’ projections are live now on PrizePicks for Monday Night Football. You can win real money by picking More or Less on his stat lines and playing your NFL insights in real time.
- 5 Receptions
- 65.5 Receiving Yards
- 14 Fantasy Score
- 22.5 Longest Reception
- 8 Targets
Even if the Buccaneers ease in Evans with a limited snap count, his size and chemistry with Mayfield make him a strong WR2 candidate with touchdown upside for fantasy lineups in Week 7.
Week 7 isn’t the only avenue to get in on the NFL DFS action for Monday Night Football and beyond, as fans can enjoy season-long action with PrizePicks.
Doing so is simple. Just pick players, predict More or Less for their stats, then add those selections to your Lineup. Win real-money prizes when you’re right.
Stick around here with PrizePicks and the Playbook for picks and analysis all year long.
