Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, who was listed as a playing time decision, will play in the NFC wild card game on Saturday against the Washington Football Team, coach Bruce Arians told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio.
The Bucs will also have cornerback Carlton Davis in Saturday’s game, a source told ESPN. Davis lost the last two games due to a groin injury and was also designated as a playing time decision by Arians.
Evans barely managed to put weight on his left knee after he doubled back in the end zone during the first quarter of last Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. He was diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee and an MRI scan revealed no structural damage.
Evans, who picked up 70 passes for 1,006 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, returned to training on Thursday as a limited participant for the first time since his injury.
The Aryans blamed field conditions at Raymond James Stadium for Evans’ injury, as the final zone was slippery from rain and the Outback Bowl had been played there the day before. The Aryans said they were predicting another wet field in Washington.
It will be the first playoff game in seven seasons for the three-time Pro Bowler, who was selected with the seventh overall choice in the 2014 NFL draft. It is the Bucs’ first post-season appearance since 2007.
Evans is the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first seven seasons, breaking the tie with Randy Moss. Evans also broke his own franchise record for most touchdown catches in a single season at 13.
Davis led the NFL with 18 pass separations in 2019 and his 15 pass separations this year were tied for second in the league. He usually follows the wide receivers of opposing teams # 1, holding Michael Thomas of the Saints to three 17-yard receptions in week 1.