Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka return to practice, could play vs. Lions

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There’s a chance Baker Mayfield will have his top targets back for Monday night’s showdown in Detroit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka — both dealing with injured hamstrings — returned to the practice field on Saturday, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters.

Evans and Egbuka are practicing on a limited basis, according to Bowles, who didn’t include Evans on a list of players that will be ruled out against the Lions and added that the rookie will be a game-time decision.

Running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), RB Josh Williams (concussion), WR Chris Godwin (fibula) and right guard Luke Haggard (shoulder) are among those Bowles declared out.

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Evans’ potential return on Monday night would be a huge boost for the first-place Buccaneers.

The veteran wideout has missed the past three games due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 3.

Mayfield and Co. suffered their only defeat so far in 2025 in their first game without Evans, but Egbuka has played a major role in maintaining one of the league’s top offenses in their two wins since.

Egbuka’s stellar rookie campaign hit a snag in last Sunday’s win over the 49ers after suffering a hamstring injury in the second half. The ailment had kept Egbuka out of practice entirely until Saturday. The first-round pick leads the Bucs in receptions (27), targets (42), receiving yards (469) and touchdowns (five).

Evans, who has produced 14 receptions for 140 yards and a score in three starts this season, was limited in his return to practice on Thursday but sat the following session, which signaled he might not have been ready. Saturday’s development figures to calm those worries.

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