Which NFL winning streaks are in danger heading into Week 11?
USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaca break down which teams riding a hot streak could be in danger of losing this this weekend.
Take one look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025 and you can’t help but realize something is missing – Mike Evans.
The big receiver has been a mainstay in the team’s lineup for 11 seasons now, meaning his presence is sorely missed every week. Evans has been no stranger to injury in 2025, having dealt with a hamstring strain before a broken collarbone threatened the remainder of his season.
With one of Baker Mayfield’s top targets on the sidelines, it has forced others to step up in Evans’ absence. It also revealed something else – more injuries in the room.
Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan have missed significant time this season, in addition Bucky Irving’s absence in the running back room.
Luckily for Tampa, Emeka Egbuka has blossomed into a star in his rookie season. Most teams would fold after all the injuries. Instead, the Bucs have navigated all of those issues and posted a 6-3 record.
There might be some cracks in the armor beginning to show, but there is some hope with some players potentially returning in the near future.
Here’s the latest on Evans.
When will Mike Evans return?
Evans could return in Week 14 at the earliest, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.
The receiver broke his collarbone during the Bucs’ Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions, putting his season at risk. While the initial fear was that he’d miss the remainder of the season, Evans underwent surgery and the common belief is that he’ll miss no more than eight weeks.
There have been no updates on Evans’ status since the surgery, so it’s unclear if everything is going according to plan. He was placed on injured reserve, but the mandatory four-game absence won’t interfere with the injury timeline.
If there is some positive news in all of this, Evans should be in a position to return for the postseason at least. Before the injury, the receiver had been remarkably durable during his career – never missing more than three games in any of his first 11 seasons.
That hasn’t been the case in 2025, however, as Evans already missed three games with a hamstring strain and now even more with the broken collarbone.
Barring some record-setting performances, the injuries will end Evans’ streak of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
Buccaneers WR depth chart
- Emeka Egbuka
- Sterling Shepard
- Tez Johnson
- Kameron Johnson
- Ryan Miller
Egbuka’s emergence as a rookie has been a big reason for the team’s success and it’s a mystery where the Buccaneers would be without him. His role will only take on more significance following the injury to Evans and uncertainty of Godwin going forward.
Johnson has also stepped up, giving Tampa another reliable weapon in the passing attack.
While no one wants to lose stars to injury, the Buccaneers are better equipped to handle it than most teams.
