Bucs: Mike Evans to IR with fracture, Godwin and Reddick out

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed wide receiver Mike Evans on injured reserve after suffering a fractured collarbone in Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions, the team announced. A source revealed that Evans will undergo surgery this week to repair his collarbone. In addition, he suffered a concussion during the match.

The hope is that he returns before the end of the regular season, said coach Todd Bowles, adding that Evans is “fine”.

Todd Bowles

It’s going to be complicated. We’ll see as we get closer to the end of the year. It will definitely be at the end of the year, hopefully it will be sooner, if we make the playoffs, we’ll start from there. It could be in the playoffs. It depends on how he heals.

Todd Bowles

Outside linebacker Haason Reddick also suffered an injury during Monday’s game. The team is still awaiting the results of an MRI, but Bowles indicated that Reddick will be out for a while. The team will not have running back Bucky Irving (foot sprain, shoulder subluxation) and wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) in this week’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Bowles was asked if the fibula injury in the same leg as Godwin’s operated left ankle jeopardizes his season. “It’s something that’s being evaluated week to week at this point,” he replied. “I don’t think it puts his season in jeopardy.” The team also does not have wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who suffered a neck sprain in the second preseason game and has been on the injured list. McMillan’s goal has always been after the bye week 9, but no specific date was given at that time, nor is it now. “He’s improving,” Bowles said. “I don’t have a specific date for you either, but he’s definitely improving. When he comes out of the collar we’ll see, but he definitely feels better.” The team has signed offensive lineman Michael Jordan from the practice squad to fill Evans’ position. The Bucs have also signed former Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Brandon Johnson to their practice squad to fill Jordan’s position.