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About the Author: Jon Ledyard
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The Bucs will play their first game in 2021 without Mike Evans today against the Panthers. Evans was knocked out of last week’s loss against the Saints with a hamstring injury. But, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Evans still could return this regular season. The Pro Bowl receiver’s injury is not considered serious.
Bucs WR Mike Evans, who is out today with a hamstring, has a chance to return during the regular season, per source, as the hamstring issue is not considered severe. Week-to-week.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 26, 2021
With Chris Godwin out for the year, the Bucs could really use Evans to close the season. The team’s all-time leading receiver has 64 catches for 899 yards and 11 touchdowns. Evans needs 101 yards to become the first receiver ever to record eight straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career. If he can pull it off, he’d break his own record set last season.
In Evans’ stead, Antonio Brown will need to step up. Brown has been out since Week 6 with an ankle sprain and a 3-game suspension. Before that, Brown was off to an incredible start this season. He caught 29 passes for 418 yards and four touchdowns in five games, despite playing less than 50 percent of the offensive snaps. He’ll be critical against the Panthers with the Bucs down four of their top six wideouts.
Tampa Bay travels to Carolina to take on the Panthers on Sunday.
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