Mike Evans out with fracture: Buccaneers lose star WR

Mike Evans Suffers Injury, Leaves Buccaneers on Alert

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans suffered a fractured clavicle during Monday night’s game against the Detroit Lions, which will sideline him for a significant portion of the season, according to coach Todd Bowles.

“He’ll be out until almost the end of the year,” Bowles said of Evans’ possible return timeline. “We’ll see what happens.”

Todd Bowles

Evans, who also suffered a concussion, was removed from the field in the second quarter after being tackled by Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin on a deep pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Evans’ head hit the turf as he and Ya-Sin fell. Ya-Sin got up immediately and suffered no injuries. Evans remained on the ground for several seconds after the play, gesturing in pain but not moving, while Mayfield looked on in disbelief. Tight end Cade Otton, running back Rachaad White, and left tackle Tristan Wirfs gathered around Evans as the athletic training staff attended to him, with rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka kneeling beside him. The Bucs’ defensive captain, Lavonte David, and Bowles entered the field to see Evans as his offensive teammates returned to the meeting. Evans needed extra time and assistance before leaving the field.

“I was worried about him,” Otton said. “I really didn’t know what was going on at the time, so I just let them know that I’m there for him and that’s all you can do at that point. … Obviously, he’s the leader of the team, a great teammate, a great person. So I just want him to have a speedy recovery.”

Cade Otton

Egbuka said Evans appeared to be unconscious when he ran towards him, “so I was just praying for him to wake up, I knelt down and prayed with him”. He was encouraged by his teammate’s good spirits after the match.

“He’s someone with a lot of willpower, so it’s really difficult to break him,” Egbuka said. “So it was very unfortunate to see that, but I know he’s in the Lord’s hands.”

Emeka Egbuka

The Monday marked Evans’ first game since he suffered a hamstring strain in Week 3.

“It’s never good to see one of your stars go down like that, especially when he’s returning,” Bowles said. “Everyone was excited to see him. It’s a tough blow. … We have to regroup and come back.”

Todd Bowles

The injury means Evans’ streak of 1,000-yard seasons is likely to come to an end. He is the only player in league history to have recorded 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons, and had he done so again in 2025, he would have broken Jerry Rice’s record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history. Evans tied Rice last season, reaching the milestone on the last play of the Buccaneers’ regular season finale against the New Orleans Saints. Rice had given Evans his blessing this summer to break the record.

“It’s very unfortunate, but Mike is a professional,” Mayfield said. “He’ll handle it the best way he can. Being injured, 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 a testament to who he is. That’s not easy to do. Sometimes it’s hard to stand there and watch when you know you want to be out there contributing, but Mike will help our guys in any way he can.”

Baker Mayfield