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Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff WriterOct 19, 2024, 12:53 PM ET
- Jenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN.
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans will be a game-time decision Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens, coach Todd Bowles said Saturday.
Evans missed Thursday and Friday practices dealing with a hamstring injury but was able to do “some things” during Saturday’s practice, Bowles said.
“He did some things today that were encouraging,” Bowles said. “We’ll see how the next two days go, and we’ll see how he feels. … He’s questionable right now.”
Bowles added that Evans’ injury has been a “nagging” one and not one he abruptly suffered. Evans tweaked the injury during last week’s game against the New Orleans Saints, Bowles said. Evans has missed just nine games in 10 seasons, with eight of those due to injury or illness.
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Evans, who became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer this season, is tied for the league lead with five receiving touchdowns, along with teammate Chris Godwin, Allen Lazard, Ja’Marr Chase and George Kittle.
Bowles said starting center and 2024 first-round draft pick Graham Barton progressed enough this week to play Monday night despite being limited Thursday and Friday. Barton missed last week’s game against the Saints with a hamstring injury.
The coach also said second-year wide receiver Trey Palmer, who missed the past two games with a concussion, “will be good” for Monday night after fully participating in Friday’s practice with no issues.
Starting cornerback Jamel Dean, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Saints, will be out. Rookie cornerback Tyrek Funderburk is expected to step in as he did last week, along with second-year cornerback Josh Hayes.
“I thought he did some things for going out there the first time cause he missed preseason as well,” Bowles said of Funderburk. “With a game under his belt, he’ll be a little calmer, a little more confident — between him and Hayes, they’ll both get some time out there. We look forward to seeing them play.”
Wide receiver Kameron Johnson (ankle) and tight end Payne Durham (calf) will both be out.
