Mike Evans Says Crushing Falcons Hit Helped Him
December 16th, 2025
Bucs fans saw the greatest receiver in franchise history, Mike Evans, return from collarbone surgery Thursday and take a crushing early-game hit that bent him like a pretzel.
That jump-started Evans’ big game, he told the Buccaneers Radio Network this week.
“I was a little cautious at first, my first time in two months playing,” Evans admitted. “I had to see how the the bone was gonna hold up. After I hit the ground a couple times it was apparent that I was gonna be, you know, close to myself.”
“I stopped breathing a little bit, too, because of the way I hit the ground,” Evans said. “It kind of took the wind out of me. But I did get snapped in a weird, weird way and that really, ironically, gave me like the most confidence that I needed, like the final piece. Because I had hit ground before that, but that one, if I could take that, that’s the biggest hit I’ve had all year — the most awkward fall.”
“… It gave me the confidence to go play hard.”
Joe is fired up about Evans’ return. Can he put the team on his back, along with his fellow receivers? Will they show enough to strike fear in the hearts and minds of defensive coordianators?
Mike Evans and the Buccaneers were chirping at Cobee Bryant after this hit.
Baker Mayfield had been picking on Bryant all night, with Tampa winning most of those matchups until that moment.
(via NFL) pic.twitter.com/5tgCUCaude
— Preme Football (@premefootball) December 12, 2025
December 16th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Mike Evans is the only player on this team to play with heart.
December 16th, 2025 at 1:43 pm
Classy Mike, even finding a sliver of silver lining in trying to make a play on a pass he had to put himself in harms way to even attempt to catch
December 16th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
Many of us were worried about Mike after that hit. Great news when he was checked out and everything was all good. Watching the replay does make me think of how worse it could have been. Knowing Mike is excited and has the confidence to play hard makes the next game so much more winnable.
December 16th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
Gen Z athletes are weak.
We will never see players like Mike Evans, Lavonte David or JPP again.
Athletes today spend more on social media than running sprints and working out.
1. Cut Hall. Start JPP. Elijah Roberts as backup DE.
2. Get Elijah Simmons back on the field backing up Vea. Sometimes side by side.
3. Move Wirfs to LG this week. Start Chukwuma at LT.
4. Find a legit RG off the Rams practice squad.
5. Hope Kancey will be back for Miami.
December 16th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
Mike seems very upbeat in his interview with the team. He’s our only (&Bowels’) hope!!
December 16th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Doesn’t matter what Evans, and the receivers do Joe. Bowles defense isn’t legit. Our own players know it, the league knows it. They will fail down the stretch like they always do.
December 16th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Veteran or experienced guards on practice squads
• Laken Tomlinson (Baltimore Ravens practice squad) – Pro Bowl guard with lots of NFL starting experience who was added to the Ravens’ practice squad recently. 
🔹 Younger or developmental guards
• Jared Penning (Ravens practice squad) – Undrafted 2025 guard with size and college accolades. 
• Branson Taylor (Los Angeles Chargers practice squad) – 2025 draft pick working on the practice squad. 
• Leander Wiegand (New York Jets practice squad) – International Player Pathway guard with tools teams like to develop. 
• Luke Haggard (Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad) – On the Bucs’ practice squad as an interior lineman (listed as G). 
🔹 Other young practice squad guards
• Jack Conley (New England Patriots practice squad) – A big young guard the Pats have kept in their development pool.
December 16th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Yuccaneers need to score 35 each game to win that is how bad the defense is
December 16th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
I still think Wirfs could be the next Larry Allen at LG.
Wirfs will save our passing game. (Baker is scared).
Wirfs will open holes for our run game. (Jordan and Feeney can’t)
Chukwuma is CHEAP. So what if Wirfs is overpaid for LG?
We have an UDFA who can start at LT! (Like Donald Penn)
Put Wirfs and his giant legs and butt at LG!
Today!!!
December 16th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Even the GOAT of Tampa Bay WRs couldn’t out play Bowles wide open Swiss cheese defense.
What a waste of a gritty performance by Evans.
He absolutely balled out and put it all on the line.
All Bowles had to do was put a defense together to hold a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter.
Huge embarrassing failure. 35-34
December 16th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
I was at the game and saw that hit. It really scared me, wow not dissimilar than J Mac’s. Evans was on the sideline screaming. I guess now I see that was just him going yep, all good let’s go.
To bad the defense played sooooo poor. He was taking over the game by himself. Yep, gonna have to get used to nooooo defense this year. My question can they blow another game like the ATL game?. Guess we will see . soon.
December 16th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Pretty sure no one is worried about Evans. He always produces and historically has had good games against the panthers. It’s the defense we’re all worried about.
December 16th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
Teacherman
i agree
GO BUCS!!!!
December 16th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
The thing that kinda hurts us with baker sometimes not all the time but sometimes he has to throw it high or his passes get batted down at the line. If we want any shot at post season baker has to elevate his game like it was at the beginning of the year. Gunna have to put up 30 plus pts to win with this defense lol
December 16th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
It’s been decades since I had the wind knocked out of me but I do know it’s not a fun experience!
December 16th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
I was thinking it was more like a taco, just folded over. But definitely hard shell. Mike ain’t no soft taco.
December 16th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
“Gunna have to put up 30 plus pts to win with this defense lol”
This talk is funny to me because we’ve only scored 30 or more points 3 times this season and went 2-1 in those games, but we barely beat AZ and they only scored 17 points lol
December 16th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
Has there been a players only meeting yet? One where Evans and a select few others threaten to lay the wood to any bored, lazy, unmotivated, confused, checked out defensive players?
One can only hope.
December 16th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
WTH happened to Merle’s grandson Luke? I remember him starting to come on some prior to his injury. No signs of him since. I don’s watch replays of the games, or view All-22. So, in real time, I see Dan “Feeble” Feeney, getting grounded multiple times per game, and this seems to happen every game.
December 16th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
This is not at all a criticism of Evans, but more of a quirk, and it’s been pointed out even by national guys who don’t see all the Evans games — but Evans often looks like he’s dead after a hit, slow to get up, limp to the sideline, or needs help, you think he’s done for the year — and then he’s back out there a few plays later.
Not sure why that is, I don’t think it’s a negative trait or anything, just odd. In anycase, when he got dinged vs the Falcons, I know I looked at it and said he’ll be fine – and sure enough, he was back out there a few plays later.
I can really only think of once where you saw something and it really looked bad, and you knew Mike wasn’t walking it off, and that was vs the Lions.
In any case, the future HOF’er needs 728 yards to get to 1000, and got 3 games to do it. Make it the goal of the offense to try to get to that number. Seriously, not joking, make that the focus. If they did that, if they had a purpose, there is no way the offense as a whole would not look better. Also if you convince people the ball is always going to Mike, guess what, other people are going to be open in key moments… Just saying.
December 16th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
He’s so much fun to watch
December 16th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
For once, we saw passion on the sidelines and a really pissed Bowles. Let’s hope this wakes the team up and we come out firing the rest of the year. Doing so might save Bowles job – although I hope not. I want a fiery offense minded younger person to captain this ship. Unless we end up in the NFC Championship game, please let’s make a coaching change.
If nothing else – show some passion and go down fighting. Earn respect down the stretch.
December 16th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
@ Buckit, I’m wondering the same thing. I don’t know why Haggard hasn’t been inserted back there. Feeney is our weak link for sure. He’s had some decent movements, but he is def getting picked on bb D coordinators. Is haggard still hurt Joe?
December 16th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
F spell correct, decent moments.
December 16th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
@ Rod, I’ve seen that quite a bit with Mike these last few years as well. I mean he usually bounces right back. But I’m always worried for him, when he makes those faces, or gets up slow.
December 16th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Mike just opens up sooo much for everyone else. He is biggest key to the offense. That and actually getting a capable consistent RG. Poor Feeney
December 16th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
Try Chuk at guard. Don’t switch Wirfs- that’s madness.
December 16th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
If M1K3 wants to go for 1K, he’s gonna need a TON of YAC, so we can’t throw passes where he has to dive and instead hit him in stride and hope he breaks some tackles. That’s how you have MEGA yardage games.
December 16th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Unfortunately, Mike could be a triple all-pro, and it would not offset the lack of coaching the Bucs are suffering.
December 16th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Unfortunately, Mike could be a triple all-pro, and it would not offset the lack of coaching the Bucs are suffering.
December 16th, 2025 at 3:33 pm
stpetematt
remember luke goedeke at G…
that would be Chuk lol
nothing left for Wirfs to do but become an All Pro G lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
December 16th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Klein can’t even beat out Feeney at RG for gods sake. I thought he was starting to develop ok
December 16th, 2025 at 3:37 pm
i saw the show with mike casey and will…
yo did will put on a few pounds or something…dude looked massive next to mike…
if you told me big will weighs a good 350 rn i’d nod in agreement…mike looked like a bag of bones next to him and mike is like 230
December 16th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
i love this wide receiver room so proud of those guys!! so stoked to have them all back together!!!
December 16th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
rod has a point…
throw the ball to mike all day…
gotta love it…
get mike 600 yards in the final 3 games – still only to fall short – but it will be fun-days on sundays if the ball is slinged to mike
why…?………because we aren’t winning a superbowl this year
December 16th, 2025 at 3:46 pm
klein obviously flopped out bad with our injury situations this year at guard – for the team to circle around him and go to literally everyone else, it says a whole lot…
the klein experiment is most likely over…
also to me, he looks small…more like a center too
December 16th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Mike, Jalen and the receivers corp gonna play hard for us and will be just enough to beat out the Panthers
December 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
adam from ny Says:
December 16th, 2025 at 3:46 pm
klein obviously flopped out bad with our injury situations this year at guard – for the team to circle around him and go to literally everyone else, it says a whole lot…
——–
Well he was a developmental 6th round pick, and a natural guard, who had to get a lot stronger at the NFL level. The Bucs only started cross training him this year at center. With guys like that, even after 2-years, you don’t write them off completely, but I will agree what we saw in the preseason did not look good, although they kept feeding him snaps just to get snaps. If the Bucs didn’t think he had a chance, they wouldn’t have done that I do not think, and Licht is amazing at drafting and developing offensive lineman, so again, don’t discount the guy, but it’s fair to be doubtful.
While people keep generically saying both guards are the issues, I think Jordan has mostly been OK. The issue, that I see, seems mostly to be around Feeney, who has consistently been terrible. Barton has at times looked bad, but watching it, it generally seems like plays where Barton has looked bad it’s because he’s supposed to be get help from Feeney, who is out of position or just flat out getting beat. It reminds me a ton of last year when people kept saying Cody looked terrible and was getting beat early in the season, when it was pretty clear on tape that Barton was supposed to be helping and was out of position. This year, Barton is the victim of that. I would think by now that a vet like Feeney would have his duties down, but still, he just sluggish.
For Haggard, I looked at his PFF grades – and yes I know they’re not the end all be all, but they can often be in the ball part or at least show trends – and Haggard played more snaps earlier this year than I remember. In the four games where he played a number of snaps, he was good in two of them, and bad in the other two, alternating each week. Feeney, meanwhile, has been good in one game (vs the Pats), and mostly bad in every other game.
December 16th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
When Dungy’s Colts won the ‘07 Super Bowl they had a horrible regular season defense, especially against the run where they were dead last.
In the playoffs, however, and thanks to the encouragement of offensive players like Manning and the return of Bob Sanders, they completely turned things around in the playoffs. Completely!
Perhaps a shout or two from Mike Evans will fire up this year’s horrible defense.
I guess my point is this: miracles do happen from time to time and we’re sure as hell gonna need one for this defense to stand tall and play better..
December 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Damn, Munchkin. That’s exactly what I was thinking. Throw to Mike over and again. Get the 728 come hell or high water. That production would lead to high scores.
And you know who else got up slow and looked hurt? Jim Brown.
I believe that the Defense has to by now be humiliated. Maybe the last two games and the flood of ridicule will make some play harder.
All they need is two guys to play lights out on Defense and the rest will follow.
Uh oh. I’m getting sucked in again. I love it. I hate it.
Heads would turn if they beat Carolina in Carolina.
December 16th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
I was looking at the PFF stats, just to see what they say, take with a grain of salt, but here’s what they claim for the offensive line…
Wirfs, 90.6 off grade, with 89.1 run block, 83.1 pass bock. In 647 snaps, they claim he’s given up 2 sacks, 4 hits, 15 hurries and 21 pressures with 5 penalities. For all the talk about Wirfs having a down year, overall this is the highest rating they’ve ever given him – by quite a bit.
Goedeke, 78.6 off grade, 77.9 run block, 78 pass block. In 478 snaps he’s given up 0 sacks, 0 hits, 17 hurries and 17 pressures with 3 penalties. They also say Luke is having his best year yet.
Barton, 58.2 off grade, 61.6 run block, 48.3 pass block. In 937 snaps he’s given up 4 sacks (2 when at LT), 5 hits (2 at LT), 24 hurries (7 at LT) and 33 pressures (11 at LT). He’s had 7 penalties (3 at LT). They also say that Barton is having his best year so far.
Bredeson, 53.7 off grade, 44.1 run block, 77 pass block. In 622 snaps he gave up 1 sack, 0 hits, 19 hurries and 20 pressures. Had 3 penalties.
Feeney, 48.3 off grade, 44.8 run block, 53.1 pass block. In 470 snaps, they claim he’s given up 3 sacks, 11 hurries and 14 pressures. Only has one penalty.
Jordan, 52.9 off grade, 44.3 run block, 70.4 pass block. In 520 snaps he has given up 1 sack, 2 hits, 19 hurries, 22 pressures and 2 penalties.
Haggard, 53.0 off grade, 51.9 run block, 58.2 pass block. In 251 snaps, they claim he’s given up 0 sacks, 3 hurries, 3 pressures. Has 2 penalties.
I have no idea how PFF makes their numbers, it’s for entertainment purposes only. But keep in mind with the interior numbers that what looks like someone getting beat, like Barton for example, often can be someone expecting help and not getting it. The line play last year, with Coen, was really complex with a ton of movement and double teams – I see less of that this year, but they still do it, and as noted above, I’ve seen Barton appear to get beat – when in fact you watch the ALL22 and it sure appeared as if he was expecting help, generally from Feeney, who was slow getting there. When I say help, I mean it’s a combo block, so you’re not in position to block one-on-one.
December 16th, 2025 at 5:05 pm
JA Says:
December 16th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
When Dungy’s Colts won the ‘07 Super Bowl they had a horrible regular season defense, especially against the run where they were dead last.
In the playoffs, however, and thanks to the encouragement of offensive players like Manning and the return of Bob Sanders, they completely turned things around in the playoffs. Completely!
——–
Uh… the 2007 Colts defense were literally the #1 scoring defense, #3 in yards, #2 in passing defense and #15 in rush yards, but #6 in yards per carry.
It’s well known it took Dungy’s top ranked defense to finally get Manning a ring.
December 16th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for posting that Rod, yeah I knew Barton dropped off this year. A big part has been all the moving pieces and left and right guard. Add that with the injuries at receiver this year, and there you go. Baker still needs to learn to just get rid of the ball quicker sometimes, even if throwing it away. Live to fight another down. He gets a little too cute sometimes
December 16th, 2025 at 5:17 pm
i’m all for leaving barton at center…watch him settle in nicely in year 3…year 2 for players sometimes isn’t too good…and yep barton has def been surrounded by some inconsistency around himself this year – especially to the right…
and i’ve been mentioning haggard since like last year…i’m all for haggard or feeney…
yeah rod…was hoping more from klein after they hyped him up some…oh well…maybe he’s a long term project who could be here next year – we shall see
December 16th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
Rod——
I was referring to the 2006 season and the 2007 Super Bowl. That defense was horrible, but I may have misled by stating the 2007 defense, which did play in January of that year.
December 16th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
The 2006 Indianapolis Colts defense was historically bad against the run in the regular season, ranking last in rushing yards and yards per carry, but it transformed dramatically in the playoffs, becoming dominant and leading the team to a Super Bowl victory, largely thanks to the return of star safety Bob Sanders. While they were atrocious at stopping the run (allowing 173 YPG and 5.3 YPC) and ranked poorly in points and third downs during the regular season, they shut down top rushers in the postseason before their offense secured the championship.
December 16th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
The 2020 Bucs receiving corp has 3 HALL OF FAMERS and possibly 4 with Godwin.
That the best of any team in history
December 16th, 2025 at 6:24 pm
PoopyPants Says:
“Mike Evans is the only player on this team to play with heart.”
100% untrue
December 16th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
NCbucfan Says:
December 16th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for posting that Rod, yeah I knew Barton dropped off this year. A big part has been all the moving pieces and left and right guard.
———-
The PFF numbers actually show he’s better this year than last year. I’m not sure how PFF comes up with the numbers, but I will note a lot of people talking about Barton are going off the TV angles, and what looks like a blown block is often due to blown assignments by the guards due to the schemes they’re running. As I noted, early last year it was the exact opposite, Cody was getting blamed for missing blocks when he was expecting help from Barton. It’s a fairly complex offensive line scheme they run, and it took Barton a while to learn his position, and by the end of the year, he was playing great. This year, best I can tell, Barton is getting the wrong end of that – mainly due to Feeney who has, to my eye, been terrible.
Anyways, I really think most of the issues on the line are down to Feeney, and I don’t get why Haggard isn’t at least given a shot – I really don’t think he’d do a lot worse.
December 16th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
BTW, I forgot to post Klein’s PFF numbers for those that care. He’s actually played more snaps than I thought he did this year.
Klein, grades – 37.8 off, 29.9 run block, 80.6 pass block. 87 snaps, 2 hurries, 2 pressures, 2 penalties.
Almost all his snaps came in the Jets game, with 72. That run block grade is pretty horrific, but again, what that actually means – how did PFF come up with that number, who knows. But they did like him in the passing game.
Anywho, at this point, I’d almost take anyone over Feeney, at least to try for a game. Feeney has got a bunch of snaps and hasn’t improved at all, I’d give one of the young guys a chance to see what they can do. For the Bucs to not even try must mean they’re having really bad practices.
December 16th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
JA Says:
December 16th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
Rod——
I was referring to the 2006 season and the 2007 Super Bowl. That defense was horrible, but I may have misled by stating the 2007 defense, which did play in January of that year.
——-
Oh, OK, yeah that makes sense. I do recall the defense had a down year before they were #1 in 2007-08.
December 16th, 2025 at 7:04 pm
Yeah Rod, and it’s somlate in the year now, the bed has already been made with Feeney. I still say get someone else in there, but they may be trying to get some continuity to the line. The panthers are going to throw everything they can at Feeney, gotta get Baker out of the pocket sometimes. I think we also miss the other red head, Kieft. We could def use use to help out that right side in certain situations.
December 16th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Free agent next year. He’ll want to sign with a winner. Houston, Jacksonville?