Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was carted off the field after a violent landing left him in concussion protocol during Monday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a deep ball to Evans with about five minutes left in the first half at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. Evans got his hands on the ball but was instantly wrapped up by Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin before the wideout could complete the catch.
Mike Evans is injured on this play pic.twitter.com/Mmb2olV7ru
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 21, 2025
The impact from Ya-Sin’s tackle whipped Evans headfirst onto the grass. Evans lay on the ground dazed for several minutes as Buccaneers medical personnel attended to him. He was later carted off the field and eventually ruled out of the game with a shoulder injury and a concussion.
Heartbreaking: Bucs WR Mike Evans was just carted off of the field with a terrible injury.
Can see the pain in his eyes 😔💔
Prayers to Mike and his family. pic.twitter.com/0YUTBzcvXM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 21, 2025
Evans left the game without a catch on four targets.
The six-time Pro Bowler had just returned from a three-game absence after suffering a hamstring injury during his team’s Week 3 victory over the New York Jets. He has just 140 yards and a single touchdown through four games this season.
If Evans is forced to miss any additional time, his pursuit of one of Jerry Rice’s records may be in jeopardy.