Exciting news has come about at the Bucs facilities as legendary wide receiver Mike Evans and up-and-coming second-year receiver Jalen McMillan have returned to practice on Wednesday.

The information was revealed a little earlier in the day as Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the 21-day practice window was going to be open for Evans and McMillan, who are each on injured reserve. The team put out a press release confirming the good news as Wednesday’s practice began.

The news is quite welcome, as Tampa Bay’s passing game is trying to find its footing since the bye week. After throwing three touchdowns against the Patriots in a 28-23 loss following the bye, Baker Mayfield has thrown just one touchdown in each of the last three games, along with three interceptions – two of which came against the Rams and one was against the Bills.

Getting Evans and McMillan back gives Mayfield two more top targets to pair with rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka, who leads the team with 52 catches for 791 yards (15.2 avg.) and six touchdowns, and Chris Godwin Jr., who has only played in four games due to injury, but is coming off his best outing of the year. Godwin led the Bucs with three catches for 78 yards in last week’s 20-17 win over the Cardinals. He had two explosive receptions covering 25 yards and 31 yards against Arizona.

Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Could Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan Return For The Bucs vs. Saints Game?

While the 21-day practice window is open for both Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, it doesn’t necessarily mean that either one could – or would – suit up for Sunday’s game against the 2-10 Saints. Evans has not played since Week 7 and will likely need to shake off some rust and get back into football shape. With his history of hamstring injuries, more than one week of practice would probably help Evans ease back into the lineup without a hamstring setback.

Evans has played in four games this season before breaking his clavicle against the Lions on Monday Night Football in Week 7. After starting the first two games of the season, Evans strained a hamstring in Week 3 during the Jets game, and that injury kept him out of action for the next three games. Evans returned in Week 7 at Detroit, but broke his clavicle attempting to make a catch on a deep ball, as he landed on his elbow diving for the ball. He’s played in just four games this year, recording 140 yards with one touchdown catch.

Bucs WR Mike Evans and CBs coach Kevin Ross – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

McMillan has been a completely different story for Tampa Bay. He was injured in the Bucs’ preseason game against the Steelers where he jumped up for a pass, made the catch, but had his legs taken out from under him by Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and back-flipped, landing on the side of his neck and shoulder. He miraculously made the reception, but was immediately taken out of the game. McMillan’s injury was classified as a severe neck strain, but it was later revealed that he had fractured some vertebrae in his neck.

McMillan was put on injured reserve back in August and he has not played a regular season game yet. He was wearing a neck brace for three months before finally being cleared to take it off just a few weeks ago.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

Injuries to Evans and McMillan have stifled the Bucs’ passing game because fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. missed the first three games of the year as he continued to recover from last year’s ankle injury, then played two games in Weeks 4 and 5 beforing suffered a fibula injury that kept him out until Week 12. So for most of the season it’s been rookie first round pick Emeka Egbuka leading the way for the Bucs along with rookie seventh-round pick Tez Johnson with contributions from veteran Sterling Shepard, and second-year players Kameron Johnson and Ryan Miller.

The Bucs have yet to have a game this season where Evans, Godwin, McMillan, and Egbuka have all played in a game together. They might be able to end that streak soon with Evans and McMillan returning to practice.

While it is doubtful that either Evans or McMillan would be ready to be activated for Sunday’s game against New Orleans, the following week against Atlanta or the next week at Carolina might be more likely dates for their return to the lineup.

Bucs WRs Sterling Shepard and Jalen McMillan – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R