Is There A Timeline On When Mike Evans And Jalen McMillan Get In A Game?
December 5th, 2025
How long?
OK, great. Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are practicing. That’s the first step in getting back on the field.
Joe has heard whispers it’s not a smart wager to bet on McMillan playing Sunday against the slimy Saints. Anything can happen, of course, but don’t hold your breath.
Evans? No one has told Joe anything about Evans but Joe has a sneaking suspicion that Bucs aim to get Evans involved in a game next Thursday night when the Bucs host Kirk “509” Cousins and the plunging Dixie Chicks.
So Joe asked Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard yesterday in his weekly press conference what he needs to see from Evans and McMillan before he can give them the green light to play.
“I think it’s more days of just the consistency of seeing [they can perform in a game],” Grizzard said. “[Wednesday] was really the first time being able to see those guys move around. So, being able to see that for a couple days in a row, [and] seeing it in a competitive nature of going against the defense in practice.
“Then, really, [Grizzard is] just looking at their movement skills and being able to compare it to what it was when they were in top shape, to be able to feel like those guys are out there and they’re able to compete at the level that they need to compete at.”
Though the Bucs this week did a good job suggesting the season is now a one-game season and that one game is the next opponent, Joe has to wonder if there is strategic planning going on at One Buc Palace.
The Bucs beat the snot out of the slimy Saints just before the bye in Lincoln’s Tomb in New Orleans. That happened without Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Evans and McMillan. The slimy Saints are a rotten team (aaaawww).
Might the Bucs want to keep Evans and McMillan on ice this weekend and then, on a short week playing 509 Cousins and the Dixie Chicks, activate Evans and McMillan? Then you have two very fresh receivers ready to go.
After the Thursday night game, both Evans and McMillan would have 10 days to get their legs back and go attack the Stinking Panthers on the road.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:10 am
Or maybe very very limited snaps against the saints to get their feet wet
December 5th, 2025 at 7:12 am
Going against this defense…they’ll probably look pretty dam good! lol
December 5th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Evans plays Sunday and sets a new record for receiving yards in a single game: 337
We can dream…
December 5th, 2025 at 7:27 am
SAINTS will make this a tough game. I’m worried about them taking shots at Baker. They can’t afford to lose him cause season is 100% over if we have to rely on Teddy. He is awful and may be one of the worst signings in recent memory for me.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:35 am
Can either play defense???? That is where the team needs help!!
December 5th, 2025 at 7:47 am
Bucman is correct. Can these guys play some D?
December 5th, 2025 at 7:53 am
Hopefully Mike is back vs Falcons and JMac for the Panthers game.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:56 am
All these receivers coming back will create some problems for ST…..need roster spots
December 5th, 2025 at 8:02 am
It’s going to be a shootout, Bucs will pull out the W but they aren’t going to cover the point spread. We only have 2 D linemen *Vea and Diaby * and one leaves the field for a breather we have 0 pass rush. We can’t go deep in the playoffs if we can’t pressure the opossing QB without a blitze pkg.
QBs are throwing the pall in2.5 seconds. We don’t press the receivers, its the reason we get picked apart AND will get picked apart this week as well. Frustrating to watch but they are my team. Damn Bucs!
December 5th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Need to rest them till 2026 as the fans on this site say over and over this is team is not good so need to even try to win anymore games
December 5th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Mike won’t last a quarter if he tries to come back in 2025. Imagine how bad his hands will be with him worrying about his shoulder.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:37 am
I’d guess they both are up for the TNF game
Rest 10 days and then do their best to beat Carolina at home and lock up the division
December 5th, 2025 at 8:44 am
I do not trust Todd Bowles against Kirk cousins so if Bucs aren’t full strength on offense I just won’t count that as a W.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:53 am
I think the question Joe advances (“Might the Bucs want to keep Evans and McMillan on ice this weekend and then, on a short week playing 509 Cousins and the Dixie Chicks, then activate Evans and McMillan and you then have two very fresh receivers ready to go,) would be an excellent strategy. It probably makes too much sense for Bowles.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:55 am
Can’t wait for them to both be back. Possibly they will sprinkle them in one at a time. We should be able to do well against the Saints without them, but in the same breath, would love to see Mike get his yards.
December 5th, 2025 at 9:06 am
That’s a good idea keeping them out till Thursday. I don’t see the secondary getting much better and it may shootout.
December 5th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Nothing wrong with the Aint’s front 7
December 5th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Nope. If they can play get them in now because every game is also practice for the next game.
December 5th, 2025 at 9:52 am
Players play,,, this win is more important than the Dolphins game ,, it could come down to division record if we split with Carolina ,, and if we beat Saints /Atl and split w Panthers I think we are good to go
December 5th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Short turnaround to Thursday is probably the mentality. Extra 4 days to get their wind up, and one or both will be back for the Falcons game
December 5th, 2025 at 10:40 am
rest em!!!!!
if Grizz cant craft a game plan to beat the saints with Tom Moore, a healthy o-line, RW1, Bucky and Tucker then he needs to go!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
December 5th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Great to see the O getting healthy! Now the O line needs to step up and protect BM6!! They are very capable but have not been playing well all season! This needs to change pronto!
December 5th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Pewter power. Nope don’t trust him one bit against kirko he’s going tear his soft a$$ defense apart like he always does
December 5th, 2025 at 11:33 am
On the topic of injured players. Brian Branch blew out an Achilles, gone for the season. Probably the Lion’s best defender, huge loss for them.
December 5th, 2025 at 11:35 am
I would NOT withhold these guys from the ATL game. Give them VERY limited snaps to see if they are game-ready and re-connect their timing with Baker. If the limited snaps are good, then they can practice all week for ATL. If the game snaps create a set-back, then the other WR’s should start against ATL.
December 5th, 2025 at 11:55 am
I think one will play this week. It typically take 6 weeks for a broken collar bone to heal. JMac neck is good to go, but he is not in football shape. They don’t need to go into ATL game rusty.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
don’t let either near the field this week
December 5th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Yep you guessed it Jeff…you’re wrong again.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
I watched the Saints manhandle the Panthers a few weeks back in Charlotte. They shut down Dowdle and Hubbard and they pressured Young. The boys in Pewter better come to play.
December 5th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
2027. Bucs medical will announce surgeries for them both on Sunday.
December 5th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
You mean the 2-10 Saints…right?
December 5th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
We don’t need Evans or McMillan to beat the Slimy Saints. I’m confident they will play Thursday night against the Dirty Birds !! Fresh Legs !!
We will have so many offensive weapons Grizz won’t know what to do with em !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Slimy Saints!!