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Through seven weeks of the regular season, the Bucs have dealt with a rash of injuries on offense and defense. Just when it appeared like the team was turning the corner on the injury front, wide receiver Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone in his first game back, while outside linebacker Haason Reddick suffered an ankle and knee injury on Monday night.
Head coach Todd Bowles took time to answer just about every injury-related question imaginable, fully addressing the team’s health and providing the latest updates ahead of Tampa Bay’s Week 8 game against the Saints and before they go on a bye week over Week 9.
Todd Bowles Provides Much-Anticipated Update On Mike Evans
Starting with the worst news, it is known that Mike Evans will be out for an extended period of time after his broken collarbone injury. Not only that, but Evans also took a hard hit to the head and was ruled out of Monday night’s game with a concussion injury, too.
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today
Todd Bowles was asked several questions on the status of the injured future Pro Football Hall of Famer, first clarifying that his timetable is the “end of the regular season” before going into further detail.
“He’s doing well, Bowles said. “It’s going to be touch and go, we’ll see as we get to the end of the year. It’s definitely going to be end of the year, hopefully, it’s before that. If we get to the playoffs and go from there, it might be in the playoffs depending on how it heals.”
Bowles then shared that whether or not Evans gets surgery to install a plate “is something still being discussed.” Immediately following his press conference at 12:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Evans will be getting surgery this week.
#Bucs WR Mike Evans is set for surgery this week to repair his broken collarbone, sources say, a clean break that should have Evans back in eight weeks or fewer. pic.twitter.com/3tBhmvp8LO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2025
Rapoport added that it being a clean break has M1K3 in line to return in roughly eight weeks. That puts his window in the Week 16 range in late December.
What About Haason Reddick, Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin Jr., and Others?
After providing an injury update on Bucs outside linebacker Haason Reddick early on Tuesday morning, Todd Bowles and the rest of the team were still awaiting the results of his MRI.
“Hasn’t come back yet, [we’re] still waiting on it,” Bowles said.
When asked about if it looks like Reddick will miss some time, Bowles answered, “it does.” In the immediate future, that means increased playing time for Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell, barring a trade to add some outside reinforcements.
Bucs OLB Haason Reddick and RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Switching back to the offense, there is plenty of talent on the shelf. Starting with running back Bucky Irving, Bowles kept his answer brief.
“Nothing new,” Bowles said. [He’s] working, getting better.”
That is not a good sign for Irving heading into this week as he continues to rehab his foot sprain and shoulder injuries. For both the second-year back and wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr., the head coach would not go as far as to rule them out just yet.
“They’re falling into that iffy category,” Bowles added.
Godwin has missed the past two games after returning in Week 4 from his dislocated ankle injury. While it once looked like he was trending in a positive direction, reaggravating the same leg has put his health is up in the air at the midseason point.
“It’s a week-to-week thing right now, I don’t think it puts the season in jeopardy.”
Bowles then offered a minor glimpse into the recovery of wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Not much has been known about McMillan’s status since he suffered a scary neck injury in the preseason outside of him being spotted wearing a neck brace.
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today
His timetable remains to be determined.
“He’s getting better. I don’t have a specific date, but he’s definitely getting better. When he gets out of the brace, we’ll see.”
Last but certainly not least, third-string running back Josh Williams suffered a concussion in Week 5 against the Seahawks and has yet to clear concussion protocol. Williams is the second member of the backfield on the injury report, but there is hope he can come back and fill in as a kick returner.
“He hasn’t passed [concussion protocol] yet, but he’s started running and practicing last week. Hopefully soon, he should pass.”
A long list of injuries led to many questions about the health of the Bucs’ roster for Todd Bowles to answer from reporters. They will continue to be something heavily monitored ahead of Sunday afternoon and throughout the bye week.
Stay tuned to PewterReport.com for the latest updates.
Adam Slivon has covered the Bucs for four seasons with PewterReport.com as a Bucs Beat Writer, Social Media Manager, and Podcaster. Adam started as an intern during his time at the University of Tampa, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in May 2023.
In addition to his regular written content, he appears every Thursday on the Pewter Report Podcast, has a weekly YouTube Top 10 Takeaways video series, and leads the managing of the site's social media platforms.
As a Wisconsin native, he spent his childhood growing up on a farm and enjoys Culver's, kringle, and a quality game of cornhole. You can find him most often on X @AdamLivsOn.
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