Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (hamstring) is doubtful for Sunday's Week 1 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to James Palmer of the NFL Network.

Related players: Chris Godwin, Scott Miller, O.J. Howard, Rob Gronkowski

While expected, the loss of Evans for Sunday's marquee match-up with the Saints is a big-time blow. Evans is the field-stretcher of the Bucs offense and is difficult to beat on jump balls. The main focus of the Saints' defense shifts to Chris Godwin and give Scott Miller an opportunity to get more targets with Tom Brady. Tight ends O.J. Howard and Rob Gronkowski can also expect more looks.

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans is practicing Friday, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. "He tested his hamstring outdoors catching some passes and then went through a series of exercises with head trainer Bobby Slater inside," tweeted Laine. "His game status for Sunday is TBD."

Head coach Bruce Arians said that Evans is still a game-time decision Sunday and that the he doesn't think the hamstring injury is the same one that sidelined him last season, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic.

Evans getting in some work with the team's head trainer is good to see, but it is far from a lock that he plays and is effective this Sunday against the Saints. Even if he does play, it is tough to think Evans will be productive.

According to Rick Stroud on Twitter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was absent from practice during the portion that was available to media.

This is a noteworthy absence for a player who said he expects to play this Sunday. While there is still another day left for him to get in a limited session, his absence on a Thursday suggests that fantasy managers may want to start preparing contingency plans. Evans was already slated to draw coverage from one of the top shadow corners in the league in Marshon Lattimore, so a return to practice would be helpful for those looking to start him in Week 1. There is a chance that they let him test out the hamstring pre-game before making a final decision on his status for this weekend, so this is a situation to continue to monitor.

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans is not practicing Wednesday and is considered day-to-day with a soft tissue injury.

This is not great news for Evans drafters the first week of the season. Evans hasn't had any reported injury issues during camp so it is concerning that he is being added to the injury report with only a few days until the season opener. If Evans is out or limited in Week 1 against the Saints, Chris Godwin would enjoy a massive target share but also deal with Marshon Lattimore's sticky coverage. Scotty Miller would also become an interesting flier at wide receiver with Evans out. Check for an update on Thursday's injury report.

Buccaneers WRs Scotty Miller and Justin Watson have seemed to solidify themselves as the favorites for snaps and opportunities behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

The team has been excited about both receivers getting in shape and making the most of their opportunities, a spot many had fifth-round rookie Tyler Johnson penciled in at after the team selected him back in April. Quarterback Tom Brady has developed a nice rapport with both receivers. Miller fared pretty well in place of an injured Evans and Godwin at the end of the 2019 season opposite Breshad Perriman, who is now with the Jets. It will be a good battle throughout the rest of the preseason and into the regular season.

Brady announced earlier today that he was leaving the Patriots, and word broke later that the Chargers didn't feel that they were in the running anymore. The Bucs offer a good set of weapons -- Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and O.J. Howard, whose career may get a jumpstart with Brady under center -- so Brady could be very fantasy relevant in 2020. However, the Bucs were third in passing yards, seventh in completions and third in passing touchdowns, so Godwin and Evans will be hard-pressed to match their numbers from last year even if the overall efficiency of the Tampa offense improves. Jarrett Stidham currently sits atop the New England depth chart.