Mike Evans made his long-awaited return to the field in Week 15 as the Buccaneers faced off against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. It was Evans’ first game action since Week 7, when he suffered a broken collarbone during a Monday night clash with the Lions. And while Bucs fans were thrilled to see No. 13 back in uniform, it didn’t take long for hearts to skip a beat.
Early in the game, Evans went up for a high throw from Baker Mayfield and took a scary fall. Rookie cornerback Cobee Bryant got underneath him, grabbing at Evans’ legs mid-air.
The result? A brutal landing that left Evans bent awkwardly, his knees practically touching his shoulder pads.
For a moment, it looked bad-really bad. He stayed down just long enough to make everyone watching hold their breath.
That's a scary fall for someone who just broke their collarbone. #Bucs WR Mike Evans got up and went to the sidelines-- seemed frustrated as if he tweaked something: pic.twitter.com/Vx82s4627Y
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 12, 2025
But in classic Mike Evans fashion, he got up.
Clearly shaken and moving a bit gingerly, Evans walked off under his own power and, impressively, returned to the game. By halftime, he had already hauled in three catches for 57 yards-reminding everyone why he’s been one of the most consistently productive wideouts in the league for over a decade.
Still, the bigger picture looms. Coming into the night, Evans had just 140 receiving yards on the season, making it highly unlikely he’ll hit the 1,000-yard mark this year.
🚨 Mike Evans needs 860 yards over the Bucs’ final four games to keep his 1,000-yard season streak 🚨
— Mitch Goldich 🐙 (@mitchgoldich) December 12, 2025
If that holds, it would end one of the most remarkable streaks in NFL receiving history. Last season, Evans tied Jerry Rice’s legendary record with his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season-a feat that underscored his durability, dominance, and consistency in a league where all three are hard to come by.
Even if the streak ends, Evans' legacy is firmly intact. But if Thursday night was any indication, he’s not done fighting-on the field or in the record books.