Mike Evans injury update is great news for Buccaneers WR's Week 7 availability

Mike Evans injury update is great news for Buccaneers WR's Week 7 availability originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be on the cusp of getting wide receiver Mike Evans back from injury for the Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions.

According to The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, Evans is expected to return to the practice field on Thursday, which would mark his first participation since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3.

"Mike Evans is expected to return to practice today for the Bucs," Stroud wrote on Thursday morning.

This now puts Evans on track to return following a three-game absence, and his return would come amid the Bucs dealing with injuries to both Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin.

Egbuka is dealing with a hamstring injury and, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he's expected to miss time as a result.

"My understanding is that it's not quite as serious as say Mike Evans, but he is expected to miss some time," Rapoport said of the rookie.

As for Godwin, he's working through a fibula injury that sidelined him in Week 6. Head coach Todd Bowles has already said Godwin, along with running back Bucky Irving are "not in play" for Week 7.

"Bucs HC Todd Bowles told reporters that RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) and Chris Godwin (fibula) are 'not in play' for next Monday night’s game against the Detroit Lions," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote.

With Egbuka and Godwin out, Evans should get absolutely peppered with targets.

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