Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Page 44

What Evan Engram cannot do, at least thus far, is stay healthy. He played in 11 games in 2018 and only eight last season, forced out with ligament damage in his foot that required surgery.

No one wants to talk much about what happens next with Sterling Shepard. He sustained two concussions last season that forced him out of six games. He dealt with a migraine issue earlier in his career. These are cumulative health concerns, and if Shepard continues to encounter head and concussion issues he will not make it through the length of his contract.

Related players: Daniel Jones

Despite the injury issues with both players, the talent is there. As a rookie in 2017, Engram had 11 receptions of 20 or more yards. In 2018, he averaged 8.7 yards after the catch per reception. That was second among all tight ends, behind only George Kittle. Shepard isn't a number-one WR, but he's a locker room asset and a nice compliment on the field. Having both healthy will be great news for Jones this year.

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.

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (hamstring) did not practice Thursday.

That's two straight missed practices this week for Godwin. There's no reason for the Buccaneers to play him on Sunday with the team at 7-8 and nothing to play for another than second place in the NFC South. It's looking like another showcase game for Breshad Perriman after he went for over 100 yards in Week 16.

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (hamstring) will not play in Week 16 against the Texans.

Not surprising with the Buccaneers on a bit of a short week, playing on Saturday, and the likelihood is that Godwin’s season is effectively over. Since most leagues don’t play in Week 17, and even if they do, Godwin is droppable in standard leagues. Breshad Perriman will be the top option for Jameis Winston, with Mike Evans and Scotty Miller on injured reserve.

The Buccaneers officially placed WR Mike Evans on injured reserve Wednesday with a strained hamstring.

Evans recorded his sixth straight 1,000-yard season, joining Randy Moss as they only players to do so in each of their first six seasons. With the team at 7-7 and out of the hunt, there was no reason to keep Evans on the active roster. The Bucs promoted WR Spencer Schnell from the practice squad.