Not long after the crowd at Raymond James Stadium was sent into a frenzy by Mike Evans breaking 12,000 career receiving yards and recording his 100th career receiving touchdown, it soon went silent.

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard – Photo by: USA Today

Early in the second quarter of Monday night’s game between the Bucs and Ravens, it looked for a second like Evans had just brought down his second touchdown catch of the night. But a split second later, the ball was on the ground and so was Tampa Bay’s star receiver.

He writhed in pain as trainers came rushing out to check on him, and while he was eventually able to limp off the field to the locker room under his own power, it didn’t take long for the team to rule him out for the remainder of the game with a hamstring injury.

Evans missed some practice time last week with a hamstring injury, but by the time the Bucs’ final injury report was released on Saturday, the 31-year-old wasn’t on it. Despite nursing both hamstring and knee injuries, he was said to be good to go for Monday’s primetime game against the Ravens.

It was fair to wonder if Evans and the Bucs were pushing it, but when he hauled in a 25-yard touchdown catch to cap off the offense’s opening drive and make history, all seemed well.

But it was clear from the moment he went down on that almost-touchdown catch in the second quarter that the pain was something serious for big No. 13. And now the Bucs await further word on the extent of his injury and just how long they might have to survive without their all-time leading receiver.

Mike Evans’ Status In Doubt For Big Week 8 Matchup vs. Falcons?

Bucs WR Mike Evans Photo by: USA Today

It’s too early to say for sure, but the quickness with which the Bucs ruled Mike Evans out for the remainder of Monday night’s game would naturally lead to questions about his status for Tampa Bay’s Week 8 matchup against Atlanta on Sunday.

The fact that there was a preexisting hamstring issue for Evans certainly doesn’t help, nor does the fact that the Bucs have to play their Week 8 game on a shorter week. After Monday night’s game against Baltimore, the team has to quickly shift its attention and preparations toward its Sunday game against Atlanta at Raymond James Stadium.

If the Bucs are without Evans in Week 8 and potentially for an extended period of time, quarterback Baker Mayfield will have to rely more heavily on Chris Godwin, who has been the team’s leading receiver this year. But the offense will need others to step up, including second-year receiver Trey Palmer, rookie receiver Jalen McMillan and veteran pass-catcher Sterling Shepard. Getting more from Cade Otton and Rachaad White through the air would certainly help, too.

And if the Bucs are without Evans for their crucial NFC South matchup against the Falcons, it’d be a big blow considering his history against Atlanta. He has historically dominated against them, and he’s only a few weeks removed from a 62-yard, two-touchdown performance against them on Thursday Night Football. Tampa Bay lost that game 36-30 in overtime, and it badly needs to win the rematch to help its hopes of four-peating as division champions. The winner of the rematch will also take over sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

Stay tuned to PewterReport.com following Monday night’s game and as the rest of the week unfolds for further updates on Mike Evans’ injury and his status going forward. This is a developing story.