Mike Evans Opens Up About Injuries During Buccaneers 2025 Season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to fully prepare for life after Mike Evans after the franchise legend left Tampa Bay in free agency to sign with the San Francisco 49ers.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:53pm by

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, green, and orange, depicting a football player in the act of making a catch, conveying the fractured and multi-dimensional nature of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a wide receiver's game-changing catch, reflecting the fragmented nature of Mike Evans' injury-plagued 2025 season.San Francisco Today

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans missed nine games in the 2025 season due to a hamstring strain and a broken collarbone. Though he was able to return at the end of the season, he failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. Evans recently spoke about the challenges of being sidelined and how it gave him a 'second wind' as he prepares to join the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Why it matters

The Buccaneers will have to adjust to life without their franchise wide receiver, who was a key part of their offense for many years. Evans' departure opens up opportunities for other receivers like Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, but the team will need to find a replacement for his production and leadership.

The details

Evans missed nine games in 2025 due to a hamstring strain in Week 2 and a broken collarbone in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions. Though he was able to return at the end of the season, he failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. In a recent podcast appearance, Evans opened up about the challenges of being sidelined and how it gave him a 'second wind' as he prepares to join the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

  • In Week 2, Evans suffered a hamstring strain.
  • In Week 8, Evans broke his collarbone against the Detroit Lions.
  • Evans was able to return at the end of the 2025 season.

The players

Mike Evans

A wide receiver who spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Fred Warner

A linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers who hosts the 'G.O.A.T Farm Sports' podcast, where he interviewed Mike Evans.

Emeka Egbuka

A wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who will have more experience in his second year after Evans' departure.

Chris Godwin

A wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who was hampered by injuries in the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“It was tough. I wanted to be out there with my guys. I'm paid to play the game. You know, people are coming to watch me play, and then we're trying to make the playoffs and make a playoff push. And, you know, I'm not there.”

— Mike Evans, Wide Receiver

“Like, I just rehabbed really, really hard, and I was able to come back... I didn't think I'd be able to come back at all last season. I finished, you know, playing four games, and I would have been available for the playoffs. So, it was unfortunate, but it kind of gave me a second wind.”

— Mike Evans, Wide Receiver

What’s next

The Buccaneers will need to find a replacement for Evans' production and leadership in the offseason, either through the draft or free agency.

The takeaway

Mike Evans' departure from the Buccaneers opens up opportunities for other receivers, but the team will need to adjust to life without their franchise wide receiver who was a key part of their offense for many years.