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Game status: Mike Evans is ACTIVE for Week 1. The hamstring is worrying, but he’s going to give it a go.
Game day update: Mike Evans is expected to play, according to Adam Schefter. The Bucs are “optimistic he will go,” but will test him out in the pregame. For fantasy purposes, hamstring injuries are always concerning in that first game back. Evans is a must-start when healthy, but be wary of the injury. I’d lean toward starting him unless you have a strong second option.
Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without the services of wide receiver Mike Evans for this week’s season opener against the New Orleans Saints? It certainly looked that way on Friday when the team had him listed as doubtful, but since then he’s been upgraded to questionable by the team, improving his chances of playing. Beset by a hamstring issue, Evans missed practice throughout the week, until finally getting in some limited work on Friday.
Evans was still holding out hope that he might be able to suit up for Tom Brady’s regular season debut with the Bucs. However, as Adam Schefter pointed out, the team’s history of letting doubtful players play does not bode well for Evans’ chances this week. It’s a very good sign that his status is now merely questionable.
Fantasy football analysis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans
The Evans-Brady pairing is loaded with fantasy potential this season. The receiver has topped the 1,000-yard mark in every season of his career, and is a sure bet to do it again this year. He’s got lots of upside for scoring touchdowns too. There’s a reason why his name is among the top choices in any fantasy format this season.
It looked like we might have to wait a week to see him in action. Instead, we the full potential of the Bucs offense can be unleashed on a tough Saints defense. Second-year receiver Scotty Miller was expected to take the other starting spot with Evans out. There’s a chance that Evans’ role could still be scaled back because of his injury. But he’s the kind of player you can’t afford to leave on the bench in most fantasy leagues. However, if you’re thinking about spending big to put Evans in your DFS lineup this week, it still might be worth looking for more secure investments.