The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to soldier on without their most reliable star in Mike Evans.
Evans crashed violently onto the grass in the second quarter of the Buccaneers’ “Monday Night Football” clash against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. The veteran wide receiver had to be carted off the field after laying motionless on the ground for several minutes.
The 32-year-old was initially diagnosed with a concussion and a shoulder injury. After team doctors were given more time to observe Evans, the medical staff determined that he had suffered a broken collarbone. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles announced the news during his postgame press conference.
#Bucs WR Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone and is out for most of the year, coach Todd Bowles announced. Absolutely brutal. pic.twitter.com/VGUiAxPgjH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2025
The timeline for recovery from such an injury would keep Evans out for most of the remaining year. According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, Evans is expected to be out for at least 6 to 8 weeks, leaving “hope” that he could be back before the end of the regular season.
The initial timeline for #Bucs WR Mike Evans’ broken clavicle injury is 6–8 weeks, per sources.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 21, 2025
There’s hope he’ll be able to return before the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/gUrxfSXZqo
The six-time Pro Bowler had just returned from a three-game absence after suffering a hamstring injury during his team’s Week 3 victory over the New York Jets. He has just 140 yards and a single touchdown through four games this season.
The latest injury blow takes away any chance of Evans breaking his tie with Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
