Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Page 42

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Evans was limited and even doubtful to play at one point last week so it is not entirely surprising Evans is still being limited by his hamstring. He ultimately fought through the ailment and played only to catch a single pass for a touchdown in Week 1. Evans looks like he will play thorugh the injury again this week, and he could be set to explode in a generous matchup with Carolina and teammate Chris Godwin dealing with a concussion.

Updating an earlier news item, Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin has formally entered the league's concussion protocol.

Godwin sat out of Wednesday's practice so this is not totally shocking. Godwin will attempt to clear protocol in time to return for Week 2's matchup with Carolina, but there is a strong possibility he has to sit out given that he is not practicing at all. If he does, Mike Evans would become a target hog and alternative pass-catching options like Scotty Miller, Rob Gronkowski, and O.J. Howard could see additional volume.

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin is sitting out of practice on Wednesday after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit during Sunday's game.

Godwin announced that he felt fine yesterday but missing Wednesday's practice entirely is an ominous sign. We have not heard any official confirmation that Godwin is in the concussion protocol, so it remains possible he returns to practice tomorrow. If Godwin were to sit Week 2, Mike Evans would be locked into additional targets and it could open up more opportunity for tight ends Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard.

Bucs coach Bruce Arians, on his weekly radio show, says they should’ve moved Mike Evans around vs the Saints instead of keeping him outside.

The tweet went on to say Arians lamented only targeting Evans four times. The tweet also said Arians said he feels bad if Evans has less than 10 targets in any game. Evans had 1 catch for 4 yards in the game, that at least happened to be a touchdown. The Bucs take on the Panthers this week and Evans should be more involved. This at least indicates maybe Evans wasn't a decoy with a bum hamstring that at one point had him doubtful to play in Week 1.

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.