TAMPA, Florida – In a cruel twist of fate on the next move, after becoming the first NFL player to record 1,000 yards in each of his first seven seasons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans suffered an injury on his left knee, putting his status for the playoffs in danger.
After being examined at Raymond James Stadium, Evans was taken to have an MRI scan, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
With 24 seconds to go to the end of the first quarter, the three-time Pro Bowler cut in to catch what would have been a 10-yard touchdown and hyperextended his left knee, with the ball and Evans falling to the ground, where he sat for several seconds. writhing in pain before being helped out of the field, unable to put any weight on his left leg. He was taken to the locker room in a cart. He was later excluded from the game.
In a previous move, the scoreboard displayed “1,000” along with the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 – every year that Evans ended with 1,000 receiving yards.
Evans needed 40 yards for Sunday’s record and took a 20-yard pass from Tom Brady to make it 46, with the fans quickly getting to their feet.
With 10 wins, the Bucs had already secured a playoff spot before Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, but are fighting for the fifth playoff division. Coach Bruce Arians said last week that he hoped Evans could have won the record so he could put him in the 17th week.
Now, his status going forward is uncertain. Evans has been Bucs’ No. 1 wide receiver in recent years, often drawing the attention of opposing defenses with shadow and double coverage. He was also arguably Brady’s most valuable target in the defender’s first year in Tampa Bay, receiving 13 touchdown passes that led the team.