The road to a Super Bowl isn't getting any easier for the Detroit Lions. After a disastrous 30-17 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs on primetime, they'll be going up against another MVP candidate quarterback on Monday Night Football. It looks like Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield may be getting his top wide receiver back.
On Thursday, WR Mike Evans was among the players to return to practice, first reported by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Evans has missed the past few weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3. Monday's game against the Lions has been the expected return date for the likely future Hall of Famer.
Bucs Mike Evans returned to practice. pic.twitter.com/4ZAFi2Ombz
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) October 16, 2025
Evans' potential return comes at a difficult time for the Lions, who have struggled to keep up with injuries to their secondary. The Buccaneers haven't been immune to the injury bug, either, especially at WR. Star rookie Emeka Egbuka is hurt with a hamstring injury, while Chris Godwin has a fibula injury. Godwin is expected to miss Monday's game, while Egbuka's status remains unclear. Egbuka, along with running back Bucky Irving, did not practice, per Stroud.
Evans is best known for his distinction of reaching 1,000 receiving yards in all 11 of his seasons. To keep his legendary streak going, Evans will need 860 more yards the rest of the way. As evidenced by Week 18 of last season, when Mayfield completed a nine-yard pass to Evans during a kneel-down situation to help him reach the 1,000-yard threshold, this streak is extremely important to Buccaneers players and the organization. Mayfield and Evans will absolutely try to make up for lost time whenever they can, the thought of which is sure to send shivers down the spines of Lions' fans.
Other Buccaneers return to practice that could pose problems for the Lions
It's not just Evans who is returning to practice. According to Stroud, cornerbacks Zyon McCollum (Thumb) and Benjamin Morrison (Hamstring), as well as offensive lineman Mike Jordan (knee), are also returning to practice.
McCollum started the Buccaneers' first five games before missing Week 6 after undergoing a thumb procedure. He started all 17 games for the Buccaneers last season with two interceptions and 82 combined tackles. Morrison is the Buccaneers' second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and played in three games, where he accounted for five combined tackles and a pass defended. Jordan is a practice squad guard, but has years of NFL experience and had started the Buccaneers' first two games before suffering a knee injury.
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It remains to be seen whether these three, or Evans, will play on Monday. The Buccaneers potentially getting up to three starters back can pose serious trouble for an also banged-up Lions squad. The secondary, one that will also be missing safety Brian Branch due to a suspension, would've had their hands full regardless of whether or not Evans plays, may now be going up against an elite receiver with Jordan possibly buying Mayfield a little extra time to get the ball to him.
On the defensive side of the ball, McCollum and his solid 65.4 Pro Football Focus grade, along with Morrison, will provide a boost to a struggling Buccaneers defense that will have to contend with Mayfield's fellow MVP candidate, QB Jared Goff, and the talented Lions' offense.
Lions may get some reinforcements of their own with left tackle Taylor Decker and defensive tackle Alim McNeill poised to make their own return. In what should be a tightly contested match-up, the winner may ultimately come down to the healthiest team and which of the returning players makes the biggest impact.