Evans caught all three of his targets for 40 yards before leaving the game in the second quarter. It looked like he was going to try and return for the second half, but he was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the contest. While Bowles' comments weren't extensive, they do offer fantasy managers a bit of optimism, as it appears Evans' injury isn't a long-term issue. With Tampa Bay on bye in Week 5, Evans should have ample time to rest and recover before the team needs to release another update.
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Buccaneers regular season schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9/10 | W 20-17 | 1-0 | |
| 2 | 9/17 | W 27-17 | 2-0 | |
| 3 | 9/25 | L 11-25 | 2-1 | |
| 4 | 10/1 | W 26-9 | 3-1 | |
| 5 | BYE | |||
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time | TV | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 10/15 |
4:25 PM
|
FOX |
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
| 7 | 10/22 |
1:00 PM
|
FOX |
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
| 8 | 10/26 |
8:15 PM
|
Amazon Prime Video |
Highmark Stadium
|
|
| 9 | 11/5 |
1:00 PM
|
CBS |
NRG Stadium
|
|
| 10 | 11/12 |
1:00 PM
|
CBS |
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
| 11 | 11/19 |
4:05 PM
|
FOX |
Levi's Stadium
|
|
| 12 | 11/26 |
1:00 PM
|
CBS |
Lucas Oil Stadium
|
|
| 13 | 12/3 |
1:00 PM
|
CBS |
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
| 14 | 12/10 |
1:00 PM
|
CBS |
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
|
|
| 15 | 12/17 |
1:00 PM
|
FOX |
Lambeau Field
|
|
| 16 | 12/24 |
4:05 PM
|
CBS |
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
| 17 | 12/31 |
1:00 PM
|
FOX |
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
| 18 | TBD |
TBD
|
TBD |
Bank of America Stadium
|
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Evans caught all three of his targets for 40 yards before leaving the game in the second quarter. It looked like he was going to try and return for the second half, but he was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the contest. While Bowles' comments weren't extensive, they do offer fantasy managers a bit of optimism, as it appears Evans' injury isn't a long-term issue. With Tampa Bay on bye in Week 5, Evans should have ample time to rest and recover before the team needs to release another update.
Jarrett's 13 snaps from scrimmage represented his second-highest allotment of the first four games of his career, with Mike Evans' early exit due to a hamstring injury playing a part in the uptick in opportunity. Jarrett remains firmly in the No. 5 receiver role when the position is at full health, but if Evans is unable to recover sufficiently during the Week 5 bye to return for a Week 6 matchup against the Lions, Jarrett would bump up a notch in the pecking order for that contest.
McLaughlin's perfect showing is quickly becoming par for the course for the journeyman kicker, who's settled in nicely to his latest NFL home by making seven of his first eight field-goal attempts, including two over 50 yards, and all seven extra-point tries. The Buccaneers offense has scored touchdowns in the red zone at exactly a 50.0 percent rate through four games, so McLaughlin figures to continue seeing plenty a fair share of field-goal tries moving forward.
The fourth-year running back was in on 21 offensive snaps while serving as the primary backup to Rachaad White for the first time this season as Vaughn worked ahead of rookie Sean Tucker, with the latter active but not logging any snaps. The Buccaneers have gotten very little production from any back this season, with even White averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, so a reevaluation of the depth chart might be in order during the team's Week 5 bye.
The fleet-footed rookie did his damage close to the line of scrimmage Sunday, recording his second career touchdown on a one-yard grab just before halftime. Palmer saw Chris Godwin and Deven Thompkins enjoy bigger roles once Mike Evans exited the game with a hamstring injury, but Palmer could be in line for more targets in a Week 6 home matchup against the Lions if Evans can't recover sufficiently during the Week 5 bye.
Thompkins made good on some extra attention from Baker Mayfield brought about by Mike Evans' early exit due to a hamstring injury. The speedy second-year wideout recorded his first NFL touchdown on a five-yard grab with 3:44 remaining as well, which gave the Bucs some valuable breathing room by extending a 17-9 lead. Thompkins has now exceeded his modest rookie-season totals of five receptions and 32 yards, as he's sporting an 8-61 line on 11 targets through four games. If Evans is unable to return for a Week 6 home showdown against the Lions following a Week 5 bye, Thompkins should be in line for extended opportunity once again.
The second-year tight end worked himself free for his first touchdown of the season, a four-yard grab in traffic just past the midway point of the second quarter. Otton has mostly been a complementary option in the air attack as expected -- he's recorded three receptions or fewer in three of four games -- but he could enjoy a larger role in a Week 6 matchup against the Lions following a Week 5 bye if No. 1 wideout Mike Evans is unable to suit up due to the hamstring injury that caused his early exit Sunday.
White put together a trademark two-way performance, turning in a workman-like effort on the ground while making his usual complementary contributions as a receiver. The second-year back has no fewer than 14 carries or two catches in any of his first four games, and even though backfield mate Ke'Shawn Vaughn saw nine carries Sunday, there's no questioning White's role as the Bucs' lead back heading into the team's Week 5 bye.