Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was wheeled into the locker room during Monday’s game against the Detroit Lions after suffering a concussion and shoulder injury that quickly ruled him out.
Evans, tracking a deep pass, was defended by Lions rock Ya-Sin and came down on the play, the side of his head landing on the turf. He appeared to lose consciousness after the hit, which came with five minutes left in the second quarter.
Evans was attended to on the field and walked off, subsequently assessed and then carted off as he was in visible pain.
The 32-year-old was active on Monday after missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury. His comeback lasted just 13 snaps, with Baker Mayfield hitting him four times but coming away without a catch.
Evans’ exit left the Bucs trailing, 14-0, and leaves a diminished receiving corps even more vulnerable. Rookie Emeka Egbuka, who is also dealing with a hamstring injury, is active while veteran standout Chris Godwin is out with a fibula injury.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Evans, who has 14 receptions for 140 yards this year, has memorably compiled 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start his career. That streak was already in jeopardy after missing three games and is more so now, but the biggest concern right now is the Buccaneer’s long-term health as he struggles with multiple injuries after coming back from another.