Mike Evans, wide receiver of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, got off to a warm start during the Week 17 game against the Atlanta Falcons. In the first quarter, he led all receivers with three receptions for 46 yards and even made a history of the NFL. As the Bucs rode late in the first quarter, Evans became the only expansion in NFL history to begin his career with seven straight 1,000 seasons. The next game, however, Evans injured himself while trying to make another catch.
Tom Brady, who was first on the Falcons’ 11-year-old line, hit a wide open Evans in the end zone, but he dropped the ball and apparently stretched his knee. According to Fox’s broadcast crew, the grass was damp, and it looked like it had something to do with Evans’ injury.
Watch the play here:
Evans was officially excluded by the team in the second quarter. What makes this injury worrying is that Evans had a hard time walking off the field. A few times, the Pro Bowl wide-opener got up and then had to undergo again after struggling to put weight on the left leg. After being helped off the field, he was sent to the locker room for further evaluation.
Evans, who recently set the Buccaneers’ single-season record for the attack with 13, is a big part of this offensive attack and will definitely be missed if he can not play in Tampa Bay’s first playoff game.
“Knock on wood, we do not think there is any serious damage,” Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said after the 44-27 victory over Tampa Bay. according to Sara Walsh of Fox Sports. “We will know more within the next 24 hours.”
The Buccaneers have decided not to rest their starters this week to secure the fifth seed in the NFC. It certainly would not have been worth it if Evans had indeed been seriously injured.