Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, who was listed as a decision during the game, will play in Saturday’s NFC wild card game against the Washington football team, ESPN coach Bruce Arians told Sal Paolantonio.
Bucs will also have defender Carlton Davis for Saturday’s game, a source told ESPN. Davis missed the last two games with a groin injury and was also designated as a decision during the game by the Arians.
Evans was barely able to put weight on his left knee after leaning back into the final zone in the first quarter of last Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. He was diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee and an MRI showed no structural damage.
Evans, who caught 70 passes for 1,006 meters and 13 touchdowns this season, returned as a limited coach on Thursday for the first time since injury.
The Aryans blamed the conditions on the ground at Raymond James Stadium for Evans’ injury, as the final area was weak from rain and the Outback Bowl had been played there the day before. The Aryans said they anticipate another wet field in Washington.
This will be the first Pro Bowler three-season playoff game in seven seasons, which was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Evans is the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in each of the first seven seasons, breaking the tie with Randy Moss. Evans also broke his own franchise record for most touchdown catches in a single season with 13.
Davis led the NFL with 18 breaks in 2019, and this year’s 15 breaks were tied for second in the league. He often overshadows the No. 1 receivers of opposing teams, keeping Michael Thomas of the Saints three catches for 17 yards in Week 1.