TAMPA, Fla. — In a cruel twist of fate, on the very next play after becoming the first NFL player to record 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first seven seasons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans suffered a knee injury.
The three-time Pro Bowler cut inside to catch what would have been a 10-yard touchdown and hyper-extended his left knee, with the ball and Evans both falling to the ground, where he sat for several seconds writhing in pain before being helped off the field, unable to put any weight on his left leg. He was taken to the locker room in a cart. He later was ruled out for the game.
A play earlier, the scoreboard at Raymond James Stadium flashed “1,000” along with the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 — all the years Evans finished with 1,000 receiving yards.
Evans needed 40 yards for the record Sunday, and caught a 20-yard pass from Tom Brady to make it 46, with fans quickly jumping to their feet.
With 10 wins, the Bucs had already clinched a playoff spot heading into Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, but are fighting for the fifth playoff seed. Coach Bruce Arians said last week that he was hoping Evans could have clinched the record then so he could sit him in Week 17.
Now his status going forward is uncertain.
