| News |
|---|
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Good to go
Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 1:28 PM
Evans (collarbone/rest) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Analysis: Evans returned from a long-term absence last week, catching six of 12 targets for 132 yards in a 29-28 loss to the Falcons. He finished out this week with a full practice, so it won't come as any surprise if he gets a boost in playing time relative to last week's 54 percent snap share. |
|
Cade Otton Cade Otton Completes full practice Thursday
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 2:56 PM
Otton (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Analysis: Otton missed his first game of the season in last week's loss to the Falcons while he battled the knee injury, but after following up a limited practice Wednesday with a full session Thursday, the fourth-year tight end should be in the clear to play Sunday at Carolina. With the Buccaneers recently getting receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan back from long-term absences due to injury, Otton will likely find himself further down in the passing-game hierarchy now that he's healthy again. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Receives Thursday off
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 2:50 PM
Evans (collarbone/rest) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.
Analysis: Evans had previously been listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice while he continued to get extra maintenance for his fractured collarbone, which kept him out for six games before he returned to action in last Thursday's 29-28 loss to the Falcons. Though a mid-week downgrade in practice activity is normally worrisome, the fact that the Buccaneers are also attributing Evans' absence to rest suggests that Thursday may have been a pre-planned off day for the veteran wideout. Assuming Evans is able to practice Friday in some fashion, he should be ready to play a full complement of snaps in Sunday's game at Carolina. |
|
Cade Otton Cade Otton Limited in practice
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 3:53 PM
Otton (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Otton was unable to suit up for last Thursday's loss to the Falcons, but he could have a more realistic shot at taking the field for Sunday's key divisional matchup against the Panthers. However, with Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan both having returned to the lineup Week 15, joining wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, there may not be enough targets left up for grabs for Otton to make much of an impact in the receiving game, even if healthy. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Logs limited practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 3:23 PM
Evans (collarbone) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Evans returned to action last Thursday against the Falcons for the first time since breaking his collarbone during Week 7 action at Detroit, and he managed to log a 54 percent snap share en route to six catches (on 12 targets) for 132 yards. His practice limitations this week likely are related to maintenance, but his status still bears watching as the weekend draws closer to ensure he'll be available Sunday in Carolina. |
|
Sterling Shepard Sterling Shepard Doesn't see field in loss
Fri, Dec 12, 2025, 11:29 PM
Shepard didn't log any snaps during the Buccaneers' 29-28 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.
Analysis: Shepard was active for the contest, but with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan active and the rest of the Buccaneers' receiving corps also healthy, the veteran wideout failed to see the field for the first time all season. With both Tez Johnson and even Kameron Johnson running ahead of Shepard at the moment, the latter is a fantasy non-factor. |
|
Tez Johnson Tez Johnson No stats for second straight game
Fri, Dec 12, 2025, 11:21 PM
Johnson failed to bring in his only target in the Buccaneers' 29-28 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.
Analysis: Johnson saw both Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan return to the field Thursday, making it wholly unsurprising the rookie was limited to just one target and logged his lowest snap count (15) since his Week 1 NFL debut. Johnson was unable to convert that single look into a catch, making it two straight games without a reception. Provided the Buccaneers' receiving corps remains at full strength for the team's remaining three regular-season games, Johnson figures to remain a fantasy afterthought. |
|
Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Held in check in loss
Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 11:28 PM
Irving rushed 16 times for 60 yards and brought in one of three targets for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 29-28 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.
Analysis: As his final rushing line implies, Irving was largely held in check by a feisty Falcons front seven, leading to third straight game averaging under 4.0 yards per carry. Irving was the unquestioned lead back, outpacing Rachaad White by a whopping 15 carries and logging 12 more rush attempts than Sean Tucker as well. Irving's reception total was also his lowest of the season, and he'll look to atone against the Panthers on the road in a key Week 16 matchup on Sunday, Dec. 21. |
|
Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Solid yardage total in loss
Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 11:24 PM
Mayfield completed 19 of 34 passes for 277 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding one rush for one yard in the Buccaneers' 29-28 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.
Analysis: Mayfield clawed his way to an impressive yardage total despite finding himself under constant pressure, taking five sacks and seven official hits overall. The veteran signal-caller did clearly benefit from the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve, as the duo accounted for 170 total receiving yards, with 132 of those coming from Evans. Mayfield's one interception was also particularly critical to the outcome, as it came with 8:28 remaining at the Falcons' 33-yard line and ultimately led to an Atlanta touchdown that narrowed what had been a 28-20 deficit. On the brighter side, Mayfield's yardage total was his best since Week 5, and he'll aim to keep the Buccaneers' playoff hopes afloat with a more efficient performance in a Week 16 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 21. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Stellar showing in IR return
Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 11:07 PM
Evans (collarbone) brought in six of 12 targets for 132 yards in the Buccaneers' 29-28 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.
Analysis: Taking the field for the first time since Week 7, Evans looked as good head coach Todd Bowles had reported the star receiver had during this week's practices. Evans made his first catch for a gain of 12 yards on the Buccaneers' second drive, and he went on to add noteworthy gains of 12 and 33 yards later in the first half. The perennial Pro Bowler would go on to add a 45-yard grab on the first second-half possession, a reception that accounted for half of the yards on a drive that culminated in a Devin Culp six-yard touchdown grab. Evans' receptions, receiving yard and targets were all season highs, and he'll aim to carry over the momentum into a Week 16 divisional road clash against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 21. |
|
Cade Otton Cade Otton Inactive for Week 15
Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 5:50 PM
Otton (knee) is listed as inactive Thursday versus the Falcons.
Analysis: Otton opened Week 15 prep with back-to-back DNPs before returning as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, but his doubtful listing for Thursday's game indicated he was trending toward an absence, which now has been confirmed. Tampa Bay will entrust TE duties to Payne Durham and Devin Culp this week, while Otton's next chance to play is Sunday, Dec. 21 at Carolina. |
|
Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Set for season debut
Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 5:49 PM
McMillan (neck) is active for Thursday's game against the Falcons.
Analysis: McMillan thus is eligible for his first game action since he suffered three neck fractures and significant ligament damage in his neck back in preseason Week 2 in mid-August. Fellow WR Mike Evans (collarbone) also is active for the first time since Week 7, but because both players didn't log more than a limited practice this week, the pair seemingly will have a cap on their reps Thursday while working behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin and alongside Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Back in action Thursday
Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 5:48 PM
Evans (collarbone) is listed as active Thursday against the Falcons.
Analysis: Evans thus is in line for his first appearance since Week 7, when he initially suffered a broken collarbone. Since he returned to practice last Wednesday, he was listed as limited on all six of the Buccaneers' injury reports, and coach Todd Bowles revealed to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times this Wednesday that Evans has yet to take contact. On Thursday afternoon, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported that Evans was expected to play in Week 15, but the veteran wide receiver also will be operating under a snap count. As a result, Evans seemingly will be working behind at least Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin in the pecking order at the position, while Jalen McMillan (neck), Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson also will be on hand for snaps and targets. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans On track to play Thursday
Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 2:35 PM
Evans (collarbone) is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, though he's in line to play and is expected to be on a "pitch count" with his snaps, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Evans' availability won't be confirmed until Tampa Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but he looks poised to play for the first time since Week 7 after the Buccaneers activated him from injured reserve Wednesday. Though the 32-year-old wideout didn't take full contact at any point since having his 21-day practice window opened last Wednesday, the Buccaneers feel comfortable enough with how he's recovered from a broken clavicle to clear him for game action. As Fowler notes, Evans probably won't play his usual complement of snaps, but Tampa Bay plans to have him on the field for its most important downs. If Evans escapes Thursday's contest without incident, he should be ready to handle a fuller workload Week 16 at Carolina. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Activated from IR, still questionable
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 2:13 PM
The Buccaneers activated Evans (collarbone) from injured reserve Wednesday, but he remains questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Since Tampa Bay designated him for return from injured reserve last Wednesday, Evans has been listed as limited on six consecutive injury reports, and coach Todd Bowles told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times this Wednesday that the veteran wide receiver had yet to take any contact but remained a possibility to play Thursday. Evans' status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if he's able to suit up, he may be operating with restrictions considering Bowles' comment. Jalen McMillan (neck) also was activated from IR on Wednesday, so the Buccaneers very well could have their full complement of wide receivers available for the first time this season. |
|
Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Activated from IR
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 2:09 PM
The Buccaneers have activated McMillan (neck), who is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, from IR.
Analysis: McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) have both been activated from IR and are listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football after having been limited in three consecutive practices. Final word on McMillan's status for Week 15 will arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but it's a positive sign to see him activated from IR in time to be eligible to suit up against Atlanta. |
|
Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Listed as questionable for TNF
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 1:52 PM
McMillan (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice and is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) are both officially listed as questionable after having logged a trio of limited practices, and will need to be activated from IR in advance of Thursday's matchup in order to be eligible to take the field. A 2024 third-round pick, McMillan is working to make his 2025 regular-season debut after having suffered a significant neck injury during an Aug. 16 preseason clash against the Steelers. |
|
Mike Evans Mike Evans Officially questionable for TNF
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 1:42 PM
Evans (collarbone) was limited in practice Wednesday and is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons.
Analysis: Evans has officially been listed as limited across all three of Tampa Bay's practice reports for Week 15, though head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that the veteran wideout still hasn't had any contact, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The 32-year-old has missed each of the Buccaneers' last six games due to a broken collarbone, and it appears his status for Thursday's contest could come down to the wire. Per Scott Smith of the team's official site, Bowles said Evans and Jalen McMillan (neck) both "looked like they never left [...] in practice." Both wideouts will have to be brought off IR in advance of Thursday's contest in order to be eligible to suit up. |
|
Cade Otton Cade Otton Considered doubtful for Thursday
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 10:38 AM
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Otton (knee) is considered doubtful for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Otton was labeled a non-participant on Tampa Bay's first two injury reports of Week 15, and it appears he's trending in the wrong direction for Thursday's contest against Atlanta. Payne Durham will figure to step up as the Buccaneers' top tight end if Otton is unable to suit up for Thursday Night Football. It's a positive development, at the very least, that Otton returned to practice as a limited participant Wednesday, as Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports. |
|
Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan Logs another limited session
Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 6:51 PM
McMillan (neck) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
Analysis: McMillan is inching his way toward making his 2025 regular-season debut after starting the year on injured reserve due to a neck injury during the preseason in mid-August. The Buccaneers will likely host a normal practice Wednesday, and McMillan's participation in that session will provide clarity over whether he'll be activated off IR ahead of Thursday's NFC South tilt against Atlanta. |
Connect With Us:
