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Friday update: Assistant head coach Harold Goodwin told reporters that Evans would be a game-day decision, per Rick Stroud.
Friday update: Evans worked off to the side with a trainer on Thursday but hadn’t been officially removed from the COVID-19 list. On Friday, he was taken off the list and was at practice, but still has a ways to go to be able to play this week.
WR Mike Evans has been activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) December 31, 2021
I wouldn't get too excited though, Bucs fans. He's still dealing with a hamstring injury & his availability for Sunday is still very much in question.
Thursday update: There hasn’t been an official announcement, but Evans is off the COVID-19 list because he is at practice running routes today, per Rick Stroud. He still has an uphill battle to be ready to play, but it looks like he has a chance now.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans was placed on the COVID-19 list on Monday afternoon, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Evans did not play in Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury and will likely not play on Sunday against the New York Jets.
Fantasy football implications
Without Evans and Chris Godwin in the starting lineup, quarterback Tom Brady had to lean on Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, and Cameron Brate in the receiving game. Brown was the Bucs’ leading receiver with 10 receptions (15 targets) for 101 yards. Gronkowski had one reception (two targets) for 23 yards and Brate had two receptions (four targets) for 11 yards and a touchdown.
Along with those three players, we saw Cyril Grayson Jr. make some plays in Sunday’s win over the Panthers. Grayson was Tampa Bay’s second-leading receiver with three receptions (three targets) for 81 yards. The Buccaneers will look for those receivers to step up again as they get ready to face the Jets in Week 17.