Mike Evans injury update: Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR's status revealed for MNF vs. Lions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans will make his return from a hamstring injury Monday night against the Detroit Lions, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Evans had missed the previous three contests due to the injury.

It’s good news for a Buccaneers receiving corps that is already down Chris Godwin, who is out with a fibula injury. Evans suffered his injury in a Week 3 contest against the New York Jets. Prior to that, he had 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown on the season.

Mike Evans is in his 12th NFL season, all of which have come with the Buccaneers. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (850), receiving yards (12,824) and touchdowns (106).

Shortly after the news on Evans came out, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that rookie Emeka Egbuka was also ruled in for Monday night after previously being questionable due to a hamstring injury. The duo of Evans and Egbuka will be the top two targets for quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Tampa Bay has weathered the storm in Evans’ absence and comes into this matchup with a 5-1 record on the season that has them atop the NFC standings. But they face a formidable opponent on the road in the Lions (4-2), who have an opportunity to move up the ladder. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. ET in Detroit.

Emeka Egubka also ruled in for MNF against Lions

After it was previously reported that Egbuka was a game-time decision, Fowler reported that the Buccaneers had ruled him in a little more than two hours before kickoff. The rookie wideout suffered the injury in the Buccaneers’ win over the San Francisco 49ers (5-2) this past Sunday.

Egbuka did not play in the second half, exiting the game with two catches for 24 yards. That led to some concern about his status after he missed practice on Thursday and Friday. However, he returned in a limited capacity on Saturday and appears to be good to go.

A first-round pick out of Ohio State, Egbuka has 27 receptions for 469 yards and five touchdowns. After the Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks (4-2), he became the first player in league history with 25 plus receptions, 400 plus receiving yards and five plus receiving touchdowns through his first five career games.