Gametime Decision For Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka

October 18th, 2025

UPDATED: Adam Schefter has spoken. Again!

Hopefully, this time there is no gray area.

Mike Evans practiced today for the Buccaneers and the supreme NFL insider for ESPN headed to X to annouce Evans will be a “pregame decision” on Monday evening. Evans has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury.

Fellow receiver Emeka Egbuka, the standout rookie, also has a bad hamstring and some hope for Monday, per Schefter, “though it sounds like there is more hope for [Evans],” Schefter wrote. Egbuka was “limited” in practice today.

“Even if Egbuka doesn’t play Monday night, he is expected to have a chance to play next week at New Orleans before the Buccaneers’ bye,” Schefter continued.

Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving have been ruled out of Monday night’s game in Detroit.

94 Responses to “Gametime Decision For Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka”

  1. TB_MikeB Says:

    “Hop in, boys. We got a 1-seed to protect”

  2. BucsFan81 Says:

    Well we need one of them to play. Cant expect the Johnson’s and Shepard to do it all.

  3. Bucccnasty Says:

    I don’t like this. Unless they are fully healthy I think you gotta let the boys rest those hammys. We can still possibly win this game without them and even if we lose we can beat the saints without them. Give them all 3 more weeks to get healthy for the final stretch. We come back from bye and play NE, LARams, and Bills. We need all hands on deck for that stretch, cause if we lose to the lions and win 2 of those 3 games we’re in the clear until the playoffs and are looking at a very real possibility of a 3 loss season which should be enough for the one seed. I’ll even take the two seed and miss the bye week in playoffs for a better shot at healthy hammys from our WR creww

  4. Kgh4life Says:

    Doubt Emeka plays. I think the Bucs will be cautious and sit him. Mike on the other hand has had time off to recover.

  5. MikeBuc Says:

    Greg Auman created a bit of confusion when he reported Mike was out (which he corrected to Godwin). Sounds to me like both mike and Egbuka could do with the extra week . We shouldn’t risk any of them for one game .

  6. JimBobBuc Says:

    I’d lean on the cautious side with Mike and Meka. Might be time for Dev Culp to get some targets.

  7. Yusef Says:

    So glad Evans has a extra day to recover for Monday,if it were Sunday I’d be more worried.

  8. Ben Says:

    Going to be a tough matchup even if they are in play. Lets Go Bucs! I think rhe Lions are the Bucs toughest NFC matchup. They can handle the Eagles but struugle vs the Lions.

  9. Cybersecurity_intern Says:

    Nasty what makes you think that they didnt do that already? Maybe Evans already had the extra game off,

  10. BucVoyager Says:

    If they aren’t healthy, let them sit. Losing a game or 2 is bad but losing one of them for 4 or 5 games would be worse

  11. Hodad Says:

    They never wrapped EEs hamstring last week. He never went to the locker room, stood on the sidelines watching the game with no trainers tending to him. I don’t think it’s that bad.

  12. Lightningvinny1 Says:

    I think they both play,,, Egbuka is young and will be fine ,,, this game is a big NFC matchup that could have tie breaker ramifications down the road , remember 3 way tiebreakers go to best conference record ,, Im all for next man up but this is nuts ,,, suit them up and if it doesn’t work out bring them back after the bye

  13. Defense Rules Says:

    Since we’re off to such a great 5-1 start this year, I’d much rather let Evans, Egbuka, Godwin & Irving rest all the way thru the BYE. Even if we don’t beat Detroit, we SHOULD be able to handle New Orleans & go into the BYE at 6-2.

    If we’ve got those 4 healthy when we meet the Patriots in Game 10, we SHOULD be able to finish the season with about a 12-5 record. And that should be good enough to win the NFC South and maybe even get a BYE in the 1st round of the playoffs.

  14. Jmarkbuc Says:

    If Mike’s on the practice field, he intends to play.

  15. IrishTony Says:

    I told you! Both will play!

  16. IrishTony Says:

    This is a Bucs fan site not a Bucs’ wannabee analyst site. I sense they both play and we beat the motor city kitties by 7.

  17. infomeplease Says:

    Knowing how ME13 has played hurt before, it wouldn’t surprise me if he does again. Hopefully he’s around 90%!!! Get it done!!

  18. Just Visiting Says:

    If they can play, I’d play them. Every game counts the same, and you never know what’s going to happen before the next one.

  19. Durango 95 Says:

    Defense Rules Says:
    October 18th, 2025 at 1:26 pm

    Since we’re off to such a great 5-1 start this year, I’d much rather let Evans, Egbuka, Godwin & Irving rest all the way thru the BYE.
    —–
    Makes all the sense in the world. Still a lot of football to be played after the break. See what they can do in the next two games (1-1?) without these heavy hitters and with any luck after the break turn them all loose and make a run for the roses.

  20. Daryl Green Says:

    I noticed during the game when they pull Double EE out
    He was standing alone no one was around him. I got the feeling
    He thought he can still play, and that they were talking precaution,
    With him. We’ll stick to that I want everyone to be healthy after the bye.

    PLAY DEFENSE and we will win🤙🏾

  21. MelvinJunior Says:

    It’s insane. I think I counted 12 NFC Teams the other day, with a .500 winning percentage or above… TWELVE. It’s SO Crazy. Still, I would prefer sitting both Mike AND “Eazy-Double-E” for the next TWO-games… Given our post bye-week schedule for the remaining of the season. Especially, on that hard-ass unforgiving turf in Detroit and New Orleans. And, their styles of play.

  22. GoneGator Says:

    Wasn’t expecting EE to even be a possibility.
    With Mike and EE both playing I like our chances a lot more.

  23. IrishTony Says:

    Why would you sit players that want to play and are ready to play?

  24. BucsFan81 Says:

    Some of you all need to stop. Well let them rest and if we lose the game it’s ok. Hell no I want to win every game. Stop with the losing mentality. If they can run they can play

  25. Coconut Doughnut Says:

    I hope Emeka sits till the bye week.

  26. Yeahmetoo Says:

    Both would be great. Dont see a win with the under sized 4rth and 5th
    Stringers. This is probably their toughest game on the schedule. Hopefully
    Evans can go even if he’s 90% Detroit s secondary is riddled with injuries.
    The other way to play it. Is sit both and hope for the best as next week
    Is against a awful saints team then a bye.

  27. Dom Says:

    I just hope they are cautious with Egbuka. We are so close to the bye week. It feels like if they can just make it out of these next two games without any major injuries that the team will be healthy for the Patriots game

  28. Defense Rules Says:

    BucsFan81 … ‘Stop with the losing mentality. If they can run they can play’.

    Losing mentality? My guess is you’d be one of the first ones to scream at Bowles for playing them if they pulled up lame & had to miss several games AFTER the BYE.

    Have you noticed that Egbuka & Evans both practiced today but it was limited? Of course they want to play, in every game, but we’ve all seen too many times where a player comes back too early & ends up either being very ineffective or aggrevates his earlier injury & misses even more time.

  29. ocala Says:

    I don’t agree with sitting them unless they are not healthy. If they are good to go, they should both play. This game is possibly the most important regular season game on the schedule. If the Bucs win it, they have the tiebreaker over the Lions and will put themselves in great position for the one seed.

  30. Common sense Says:

    If Egbuka cant play and/or Evans cant play vs Det, just sit them vs the Saints & take the bye week so they are 115% ready for the 2nd half

  31. MikeBuc Says:

    “Losing mentality? My guess is you’d be one of the first ones to scream at Bowles for playing them if they pulled up lame & had to miss several games AFTER the BYE.”

    some of these were the same people squealing that Godwin shouldn’t have been playing when he took that ankle injury.

  32. MikeBuc Says:

    “If the Bucs win it, they have the tiebreaker over the Lion”

    and a tie breaker is useless when you have no tie because you rushed back players and they get injured again and you drop multiple games because of it.

  33. Jeff Says:

    Todd, you want to win the war, not the battle. Rest Evans, Emeka and Mayfiled until after the bye week.

  34. BigPoppaBuc Says:

    If they can play then they should play. This is a huge game. Rather they rest on wild card week.

  35. BucU Says:

    If they’re released to play they should Play. Too many doctors on here today.

  36. Drunk Bucs Fan Says:

    I’m with you BucU. Nobody knows what is going on inside anyone else’s body. Don’t get me wrong, if either of them gets a twinge of anything then they sit. I think that’s where they went wrong with Mike last year. We could see it from our couches that he wasn’t right in that Ravens game.

    But everyone is different and EE is a young, elite athlete. It’s not ridiculous to think he will be OK if he plays.

  37. Lightningvinny1 Says:

    They are hammys not ACLs,,, suit em up , decoys whatever ,,, Mike still has hieght and hands and EE would have come back in Sunday if it was do or die ,,,
    Players play

  38. buc4evr Says:

    Hope they both play. Maybe they can’t run every single route or stretch the field but they can still tie up defensive backs and safety’s trying to cover them. They have to be accounted for thus opening the field for other plays.

  39. Cybersecurity_intern Says:

    Looks like they both will play according to injury report

  40. SenileSenior Says:

    I don’t know how they monitor dehydration and hamstrings during a game. I hope Evans and Egbuka can both play in Detroit, even if on a limited basis. No matter what I believe there is always a possibility of reaggravation in any given week. I just hope the staff and Todd are wise.

    Go Bucs!

  41. Buc1987 Says:

    Good lord all these posters saying Mike needs to take this week off.

    Why?

    If he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go.

    What are yall doctors or something?

  42. Buc1987 Says:

    BucU…sorry didn’t see your post.

  43. Anyhony Says:

    If the Falcons and Panthers lose, then rest them.

  44. MelvinJunior Says:

    There is only one-thing you can do for hamstrings, & that is REST. I don’t want Mike back at 90%, when he can get back to FULL-strength in another 3-weeks. Same goes for Eazy (Double-E, that is)… I don’t want HIM EITHER, being nagged by it for throughout the rest of the entire season. IF, it was on ‘natural’ GRASS playing surfaces, then I may feel a little differently, about the situation. And, not against a historically ‘dirty’ head-hunting Saints Defense, & a very dangerous ‘hard-hitting’ defense from Detroit. But, it’s not.

  45. Gbobucsfan Says:

    Shefter now saying Mike is likely to play and EE has a real chance of playing!!!

  46. Cybersecurity_intern Says:

    Why dont they rest them till next season so they are good to go?

  47. Oxycondomns Says:

    bucs coaching staff doing a good job confusing their own fans i doubt the lions will be as gullable.

  48. BucEmUp Says:

    My fantasy team says play em, but I think this might just be to throw off the lions defensive preparation. I’d think they would want to rest them headed into a bye week and be healthy for the long haul with our record.

  49. orlbucfan Says:

    BucsFan81, was that the year you were born? This Bucs team is doing very well in spite of all the usual obstacles thrown in their way. ME13 will play. He’s dangerous, even as a decoy. EE2 and CG14 will not play. The coaches don’t confuse me. The closer this game gets, the more confident I feel. I have one problem. I am a Bucs Radio fan. This game is prime time–hate it!! The team radio may be blocked in my area. If so, I’m crashing. GO BUCS!!

  50. Drunk Bucs Fan Says:

    Cybersecurity_intern, I see what you did there. LOL

  51. MikeBuc Says:

    Good night . The kiddies are out in force today.

    No one said anything about resting mike if he is 100%. Its in light of the fact that the reports have said limited next to practice. IF we saw full this week even today then great.

    Some of you are showing AGAIN you haven’t watched and don’t know much football to have not seen players come back too early because of this or that game and then be hobbled for weeks to come.

  52. Herbiebuc Says:

    It’s funny how everyone so easy with letting this game go! This is by far our most important game left on the schedule, we win this and we can rest players against the saints and bye week. This game makes us true #1 a game in front of everyone. If he can play play him ! We need this W

  53. Tampa Stadium Says:

    We have seen the last of Godwin. He is not coming back. Sad but career is over.

  54. Obvious Says:

    Ticker on Georgia/ole miss says ‘Evans likely to play’ and ‘Egbuka has real chance to play’

    Looks a lot more positive

  55. Durango 95 Says:

    Everyone here wants them win.

    Everyone wants Mike to play.

    No one here is playing on Monday night. So “losing mentality” or being a tough guy on a message board will not affect the outcome of the game.

    Hammy injuries are difficult to know when they have resolved. Re-injury usually shows up under stress, while playing, in a game. The further away the better. That’s why you rest the hammy whenever you can. Come back too early make it worse than before and risks losing the player for much longer. In an ideal world when in doubt sit it out. Risk management.

  56. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    I would err on the side of caution with both of them. We may lose this one, and we may not. We can beat NOLA without either of them. Bring em both back after the bye! It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish!

  57. Ex Browns Fan Says:

    Well Tez could use a good WR2 and WR3 behind him in his MVP year

  58. MelvinJunior Says:

    If they are 💯… Of course, you play them 💯, But, I’d much rather see them completely ’healthy’ for the final 12-13 Game stretch, than never completely healing, and having it be a consistent ‘week-to-week’ issue. Then, having them both, NEVER at full-speed, and lacking confidence having to deal with it. Leaving early, this game. Ineffective, DOUBTFUL for the next. Then, OUT. And, PROBABLE the next. Or, better yet, MISSING ANOTHER 3-4 games. Then, OUT for The Playoffs. Especially, for Mike! Cause, he wasn’t ‘moving well’ to me even BEFORE the injury! He’s no spring chicken. If they can’t go FULL-speed in PRACTICE, then they don’t need to be playing in a GAME on Monday, to begin with (on synthetic turf against Detroit).

  59. BucVoyager Says:

    Lots of people here have never hurt a hamstring and the comments show that.

  60. MelvinJunior Says:

    HOUSE. MONEY. In Detroit on Monday Night! 💯

  61. MelvinJunior Says:

    @Herbiebuc – “ most important game left on the schedule.”

    LEFT!? Hmmmm…. By my count, there are STILL Another 13-14 games LEFT.

  62. orlbucfan Says:

    BucsFan81, was that the year you were born? This Bucs team is doing very well in spite of all the usual obstacles thrown in their way. ME13 will play. He’s dangerous, even as a decoy. EE2 and CG14 will not play. The coaches don’t confuse me. The closer this game gets, the more confident I feel. I am a Bucs Radio fan. This game is prime time–hate it!! The team radio may be blocked in my area. GO BUCS!!

  63. MelvinJunior Says:

    @ Tampa Stadium – Yeah! I really hate saying it, but I read an NBC article the other day, that said, we did NOT put any ‘stipulations’ or anything of the such, in his contract. That, it is fully-guaranteed! I’m not getting into all of that right now, but THAT is just unbelievable. We’re STUCK. Would’ve gone a looong ways (having an ‘additional’ $44-$66-MIL), towards making a ‘deadline’ move for Jeffrey Simmons, & the renaming 2-YEARS still leftover on HIS contract at the end of the season. Or, even could’ve allowed us to be ‘in’ on the Micah Parsons trade. It is unnnnREAL.

  64. Durango 95 Says:

    orlbucfan Says:
    October 18th, 2025 at 6:31 pm

    I am a Bucs Radio fan. This game is prime time–hate it!! The team radio may be blocked in my area. GO BUCS!!
    ——
    How come you can’t watch on TV? It’s a national broadcast so it will be on ESPN and ABC. If you don’t have TV service you can sign up for Youtube TV. If you don’t want to spend the jack, no worries, newbie’s get first 10 days free. You don’t want to miss the game, brah.

  65. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Titans have no intention of trading Simmons.

    And I’m not betting against Chris. He tried to do too much too fast. He might just be fine.

  66. Bakerfan Says:

    I can see why Tampa is considered loserville by other nfl cities and teams. You Buc fans are some thing soft between a marshmallow and toilet paper. This is the NFL and players play hurt but if they are injured where they can’t perform then sit
    I have never seen so big of “P’s” that some of you are on this forum.

    BTW, Baker Mayfield plays not only when hurt but when injured also. There was a stud player that once said that his replacements were not better than him being injured so he was the best option available. Forgot who that was but that is old school football not what this league has become under Roger Goodelll

  67. orlbucfan Says:

    Durango 95 Says:
    October 18th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
    orlbucfan Says:
    October 18th, 2025 at 6:31 pm

    I am a Bucs Radio fan. This game is prime time–hate it!! The team radio may be blocked in my area. GO BUCS!!
    ——
    How come you can’t watch on TV? It’s a national broadcast so it will be on ESPN and ABC. If you don’t have TV service you can sign up for Youtube TV. If you don’t want to spend the jack, no worries, newbie’s get first 10 days free. You don’t want to miss the game, brah.
    —————————–
    It is a matter of personal preference. I grew up on listening to pro football on radio. The broadcasters know precisely what they are describing cos their listeners CAN’T SEE IT! They are 10X better than the boob tube bozos. Yes, I live in O’ville, and it will be on the tube. So what? Plus, I have been to plenty of Bucs games at Tampa Stadium and RJS. Answer your question?

  68. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Orlbucfan

    Interesting… there is something to it…

    As much as I love Deckerhoff, the last few years sometimes it takes a while for Dave Moore to get it translated 😅

    No better voice than Gene’s though…

  69. Cybersecurity_intern Says:

    Whats up with ppl being a**holes?

  70. Kidfloflo Says:

    Listening to Rock Riley on the radio today and he announces he has breaking news that Evans is officially ruled out for game!! I immediately got to Hard rock app and bet the lions money line, before odds change, figuring, no Mike , Ebuka and Godwin we get tossed for sure, it was already a daunting task before losing him too….and then after commercial he says oh nevermind it was Godwin ruled out!!!! Ummmm no bleep Rock, we all know that! How about making sure with at least 2 sources before u blab something so egregious on the airwaves!! Especially since u know ppl have a way to gamble at their fingertips …irresponsible bad journalism to say the least…oh well u can all thank me for securing a Bucs win now, as I can’t buy a win!$$$

  71. Durango 95 Says:

    orlbucfan Says:

    October 18th, 2025 at 7:39 pm

    Answer your question?
    —-
    No wonder people think you’re an idiot,

  72. Beeej Says:

    ARGH. I have Mike as a WR. Only other option is Harrison Jr. , but I can’t know if they bench Mike after he plays

  73. gp Says:

    I’m thinking some of y’all don’t understand the “competitive nature”
    Resting them when they’re able to play is very bad for their psyche, especially if it’s a loss!
    And sitting a healthy Evans against the aints?
    That would be even worse! If there’s any team that Mike loves to demolish, it’s the aints!

  74. Nillyboy133 Says:

    Tell me what to do about my fantasy!

  75. gp Says:

    Nillyboy
    Give it up! She doesn’t even know you exist! LOL
    Sorry, low hanging fruit!

  76. Hammerhead Says:

    Turf to grass is important for hamstring injuries.

    Just the threat of Evans is an easy 4 points.

  77. ChiBuc Says:

    Rest now is NO guarantee to health later. Godwin rested 10+ months, where’s he now? If you can play, do your job. Nobody is 100%. Sure, if it’s week 15 and home field is a lock, rest em, but the bye is in 2 weeks take your vacation then

  78. unbelievable Says:

    Do we need at least 1 of them to win against Detroit? Yes.

    Is it worth rushing back early and risking a reaggrevation of an injury? No.

    If actually healthy (healthy for NFL terms) then you play. Otherwise wait.

  79. unbelievable Says:

    Personally I Hope Evans plays and has 140 yards and 2 TDs…

  80. Jmarkbuc Says:

    I said it earlier, but if Mike had any doubt he wouldn’t be practicing this week.

  81. HeartyDickerson Says:

    Hamstrings are a straightforward injury. You can’t play with an injured hamstring, it’s not a “pain tolerance/play limited snaps” situation.

    It’s a time-based healing process. so it becomes a question of risk: After X weeks, Evans has a X% chance of re-injuring. Worth it?

    If the bye was only one week away, it’d be easier to sit them. But it’s not. And MNF against a rival #1 NFC seed? I hope they’re out there

  82. Beeej Says:

    To be honest, I care LESS that we win the game than wanting Mike to get 150 yards

  83. BakerBucnMayfield10 Says:

    He needs to sit for 2 reasons:
    1. Don’t rush him back, especially if ME plays. We just need one of our top WRs to take on their best corner, and let our other playmakers feast on their injured Def.

    2. Even tho he’s been the biggest reason I’m 6-0 in ff, I’ll probably play it safe and sit him. (Suggestions welcome). If he plays, goes off, but tweaks something (knocking on wood), I’ll be 0-3 for the day.

    Let’s go get 6-1 !

  84. MelvinJunior Says:

    @ Jmarkbuc – Look, I have NO IDEA whatsoever, WHAT the Titans are wanting to do!? It was only an example. So, I don’t know what else to tell ya. Obviously, that is not the ONLY option out there… Now, OR last off-season. AND, as far as I know… Parsons is no longer available, either. Geez.

  85. MelvinJunior Says:

    @ Bakerfan – I am of the impression that they are ALWAYS, playing “hurt.” Certain “injuries” for certain players, are handled differently, depending on the circumstances. Obviously, there is just too much depth, substance, and context involved for you.

  86. MelvinJunior Says:

    @ orlbucfan – Then, no wonder why YOU said that EE reminded YOU of Mike Evans. When literally EVERYONE ELSE, has said that he is an exact “Chris Godwin” Clone. I mean EVERYONE, from this site, to Joe himself, to ALL of the ‘national’ talking-heads, & etc.… EVERY freaking ONE. They are the EXACT same size and everything. EE and Mike look NOTHING alike. Not their games. Not in ANY way possible. And, YOU sat there and ‘tried to’ ARGUE with me over that, too!? RIDICULOUS. I was actually, going to ask IF you were BLIND!? Well, now we all know that YOU ARE. And, have been all along. Also, I’ve said before, that NONE of your analyst ever makes any sense… And, that you are obviously, NOT ‘following or watching’ ANY of these other teams play. Well, you are not. So, WHY even comment at ALL then, about things that YOU are not watching, and cannot EVEN SEE!? It’s Unbelievable. I KNEW there was no freaking way, that you were watching ANY of these games, or the analyst during the week. I mean, you couldn’t be. And, THEN you wanna argue-it!? It makes no sense. I won’t bother you anymore. I can see that it is pointless. Crazy.

  87. MelvinJunior Says:

    @ gp – I don’t believe there will be a single person on here, who would be ‘against’ Mike playing in either game… IF and When, HE is listed as a FULL-GO at practice.

  88. Buckit Says:

    Would be great to get one of them back for this game, if healthy. But, if there ever was a game against the Lions where both can be out, then this is it. It looks like the Lions entire starting defensive backfield is out for this game.

  89. Gofortheface30 Says:

    Ironic how some dweebs on here are talking about being a “tough guy” on the message board while also being internet doctors in the same breath. 80% of you on here are pearl clutchers of the highest order. The Bucs physicians on staff make 3 months of your salary on one paycheck ok – and the executives are the ones cutting the check to these players and have much more skin in the game. You ladies on here really don’t think the Bucs are exercising prudence and caution? Lmao get a clue, stay in your lane. If they play, then that means that they have gone through extensive evaluation- more than any of you could ever give – and they’re ready to play. Christ. I hope in my next life I’m no where near earth, or even this galaxy, send me to Proxima Centauri

  90. Scotty Mack Says:

    So tired of people who think players should be “saved” for later in the season. That playing a medically cleared player too soon will risk the season.

    Wins and losses matter no matter when they occur. There is no postseason when the losses you racked up early in the season prevent you from defending your division title or, as it stands now, home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It’s like watching time expire in a close loss with two timeouts still in your pocket.

  91. Marky mark Says:

    Did they sign receivers off of their own or others practice squad?

  92. Mike Says:

    There’s no way Evans isn’t playing. If he’s able to run and cut, he’s going to be on the field. He’s got a big goal of 1,000 yards to chase and he’s not going to just sit out because of the Bucs 5-1 record.

  93. orlbucfan Says:

    Guess this is gang up on obf day. I answered Durango’s question about why I prefer Bucs Radio. Now ole Melvin has to get in the act. Wow, you 2 are scary. Yes, I think EE2 is a lot like ME13. He’s actually more like a cross between ME13 and CG14. Nothing like two idiot so-called ‘fans’ blowing their horns. I hope ME13 plays and EE2 sits. ME13 has been mentoring EE2, and they’ve been comparing notes on hammies. I also hope Bucs pull off the upset.

  94. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Melly Mel

    So basically you’re spouting off junk you admittedly know nothing about , about things that can’t.. won’t.. and aren’t gonna happen.

    Got it. It’s all good, that’s what the internet has devolved into. For everyone.

 

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