Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bucs expect Antonio Brown and Mike Evans to play against the Jets. Both receivers were listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report.
Buccaneers’ wide receiver Antonio Brown, listed as questionable for Sunday due to an ankle injury, is expected to play vs. the Jets, per sources. Bucs initially had their doubts Brown would play, but he practiced Saturday and barring a setback Sunday, is expected to go.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2022
Buccaneers’ wide receiver Mike Evans, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury, is expected to play in a limited capacity vs. the Jets, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2022
Evans injured his hamstring two weeks ago against the Saints. After missing last week’s game, he entered COVID protocols on Monday. Evans quickly progressed through the league’s health and safety protocols, getting activated on Friday. Meanwhile, Brown tweaked his ankle during his 10-catch, 101-yard performance against the Panthers. The Bucs limited Brown in practice on Wednesday, then held him out on Thursday and Friday. That’s often a bad sign for gameday availability. But Brown will play anyway.
Tampa Bay’s two remaining regular season games have playoff implications. At 11-4, the Bucs are currently the fourth seed in the NFC. However, if they win their remaining two games and the Rams lose at least once, the Bucs would become the second seed. Furthermore, Evans is 101 yards away from becoming the first receiver in NFL history to begin his career with eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Also, Brown has up to $1 million in contract incentives up for grabs.
Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Antonio Brown – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Week 17 will be the first time that Evans and Brown line up together since October 14, 2021 when the Buccaneers defeated the Eagles, 28-22. With Chris Godwin out, the Bucs’ two healthy star receivers must become familiar with their re-defined roles before the playoffs.
