“We Just Don’t Know What His True Availability Is”

November 21st, 2024

Joe’s almost ready to say Mike Evans shouldn’t play Sunday against the Giants.

Every Bucs fan, including Joe, wants Evans to ride in on Devin White’s horse and save the season. The Bucs are in true must-win territory. Tampa Bay simply cannot lose to the Giants, or against the Panthers and Raiders in the subsequent weeks.

Dropping any one of those games would be devastating, in addition to being disgraceful.

However, the Bucs likely can’t win anything meaninful this season without Evans returning healthy at some point. And it sure sounds like he’s not ready enough to step on the field without great risk. Evans’ is practicing but his bad hamstring isn’t in ideal condition.

Consider what offensive coordinator Liam Coen said about Evans this afternoon at One Buc Palace.

“We just don’t know what his true availability will be if he is [available,]” Coen said, before noting how Evans might impact the game and would be welcomed with love  “…The [other] guys are ready to go if not.”

Joe just can’t fully embrace trotting Evans out onto the MetLife stadium turf on a cold New Jersey day if he’s not 100 percent ready. The Bucs should be able to beat the brutal Giants without him.

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14 Responses to ““We Just Don’t Know What His True Availability Is””

  1. GoneGator Says:

    I agree, Joe. We should be able to win without him and it can’t hurt to keep developing chemistry between Baker and our (previously) 3rd – 4th – 5th stringers.

    Good opportunity to work on the run game too IF we can avoid falling behind and having to play catch up.

    Mikes going to be “plug and play” whenever he comes back.

  2. JTHV Says:

    We should be able to roll over this sad Giants team without Mike. Sit him!

  3. Lord Cornelius Says:

    If he plays and re injures a hammy I will freaking lose it lol.

  4. Hodad Says:

    It’s going to be cold on a hard surface. Normally I’d say he play, but the Bucs can’t afford another loss either. Giants are not going to go down easy. Thinking we can roll a team on the road in the cold without Evans is wishful thinking.

  5. Weston Says:

    Only bring him in if we are in trouble at the half. We cant risk losing mike… or losing to the giants, if we want a shot at postseason.

  6. PSL Bob Says:

    Even if he thinks he’s ready sit him until the Charger’s game. Let that hamstring heal. If we can’t beat our next 3 opponents without Evans, we shouldn’t be in the playoffs.

  7. Sam Says:

    so clearly this is smoke. The bucs know on Thursday if Mike is more likely than not to play or not. If they are that unsure on Thursday truly internally he will not play and they know that.

  8. TampabayDJ Says:

    Sam- Well said

  9. Scotty Mack Says:

    Play him if he’s ready to go. If the game is a loss, our season is done and I haven’t seen the slightest sign that a single one of our other wide receivers are worthy of even being on the field. Thank goodness our tight end and running backs have been able to carry half the load.

  10. Oxycondomns Says:

    he wouldve have been available if they handled his injury appropriately

  11. Tucker Says:

    It’s almost a must win game with bowles record against rookie QBs he needs to play if the trainers say he is good to go.

  12. unbelievable Says:

    Not worth the risk.

    If your defense can’t stop the Giants, you deserve to lose, and you deserve to be fired.

  13. Al Says:

    Mike Evans is not playing sunday. I thought I mentioned that already in another thread. DO the Joe-Joes ever listen to anyone?

  14. Dave Pear Says:

    With this HC and DC, this team isn’t beating Slippery Rock JV.