The Mike Evans-Saints rivalry has always brought a little extra juice to the NFC South, but fans hoping for another chapter this weekend will have to wait. Evans, the six-time Pro Bowler and cornerstone of Tampa Bay’s passing attack, has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup as he continues to recover from a broken collarbone suffered in late October.
The Bucs opened Evans’ practice window on December 3, giving a glimmer of hope he might return in time for this divisional clash. But with limited reps under his belt and a short turnaround, head coach Todd Bowles is taking the cautious route. Evans will sit this one out, giving him more time to ramp up as the season winds down.
Tampa’s receiver room will also be without rookie Jalen McMillan, who’s still working his way back from a neck injury. McMillan flashed promise earlier in the year, and while his absence doesn’t carry the same weight as Evans', it still trims the depth chart at a time when the Bucs could use every healthy target they can get.
But it’s not just the wideouts under the injury spotlight. All eyes now shift to the trenches, where All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is shaping up to be a game-time decision.
He’s dealing with an oblique injury, and if he can’t go, that’s a significant hole on the blindside. Wirfs has been a rock for this offensive line - a technician in pass protection and a tone-setter in the run game.
Without him, the Bucs' offense could be vulnerable against a Saints pass rush that’s been heating up lately.
For New Orleans, this game presents a golden opportunity. With Tampa banged up and the season entering its final stretch, the Saints have a real shot to gain ground and build some late-season momentum. This is the kind of moment that can swing a divisional race - and the Saints know it.
No Evans. Maybe no Wirfs.
And a defense that’s going to have to carry a little extra weight. The Bucs are walking into this one shorthanded, and the Saints have a chance to pounce.