The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans on Injured Reserve, officially ending his 2019 season.
Evans suffered a hamstring injury while snaring a 61-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers’ 38-35 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14. Evans’ reaction to the injury was noticeable as he could be seen pulling up and wincing in pain as he crossed the goal line uncontested.
The move comes just a day after rookie receiver Scott Miller landed on IR which, along with Chris Godwin’s current injury woes, leaves Tampa Bay extremely shorthanded at wideout for Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans.
In order to help fill that void, the team has promoted preseason star and rookie receiver Spencer Schnell to the active roster.
The diminutive slot-receiver from Illinois State stole the show in the Buccaneers’ preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers with seven receptions for 119 yards, almost singlehandedly willing a come-from-behind victory.
Ultimately, he would not make the final cut with reserve receiver spots being filled by Bobo Wilson, Scotty Miller, and Justin Watson.
Schnell could get another chance to wow Bucs fans with Evans, Godwin, and Miller all already having been ruled out against Houston Saturday. He joins familiar faces in Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson and new faces in Ishmael Hyman and Cyril Grayson as the only five wideouts available for Tampa Bay for Saturday’s game.
Schnell being with the team for the entire offseason and preseason gives him a clear advantage in familiarity both with quarterback Jameis Winston and the team’s playbook, which could the deciding factor in who sees the bulk of this emergency action.
