The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from IR ahead of Thursday's night's showdown against the Falcons. It would be a historic first this season should the duo dress and take the field.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started off hot this season, quickly taking control of the NFC South with a 6-2 record. They’ve since lost four of their last five games and enter a crucial divisional matchup against the Atlanta Falcons with a must-win urgency on Thursday Night Football. Luckily, they’ll have reinforcements. The Bucs activated receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve and are poised to have a historical four-receiver lineup should the duo return in Week 15.
It would mark the first time rookie Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Evans, and McMillan take the field together all season – should they dress. But both joined practice Wednesday and are listed as questionable ahead of Thursday night. Tampa Bay would have much more playmaking ability on the field with that quarter than the Falcons stand to trot out there. Wide receiver Drake London was ruled out for the fourth-straight game, and tight end Kyle Pitts is questionable with a knee injury.
Here is the full story from Bucs Roundtable writer Teri Berg on the return of Evans and McMillan ahead of a crucial divisional contest.
The Buccaneers sit at the top of the NFC South due to a third tiebreaker over the 7-6 Carolina Panthers. With no head-to-head yet and both holding a 2-1 division record, Tampa Bay got the edge with record against common opponents. That’s an extremely slim margin for error – and divisional records are the second tiebreaker. There’s always a chance both the Bucs and Panthers end up with the same record, and divisional matchups often are 1-1 when both are contenders. As that’s a real possibility with only four games left and two against each other, Thursday is a must-win for Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes to stay strong.
It's also important to stop the snowball, especially after dropping last weekend’s NFC South showdown against the now 3-10 New Orleans Saints. Even if only Evans or McMillan play, any additional firepower is welcomed for Baker Mayfield to pull off a primetime victory. That includes All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who will return after missing the team’s loss to the Saints with an oblique injury.