Is Mike Evans injured? Buccaneers' star WR off to quiet start on MNF

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are locked in a tight NFC battle with the Detroit Lions and the hopes of getting off to a fast start rested on Baker Mayfield and the offense.

With Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka both returning to the lineup, one would think that offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard would feature both in the passing game early to get them into a groove.

But as the Buccaneers' offense struggled to get going, Evans was barely sighted in the first quarter, only having one target for no yards as his return from a hamstring injury has gotten off to a rather slow start.

We weren't sure of what sort of snap count Evans would be on at Ford Field, but he was on the field often, the ball just didn't come his way, and when it did, he couldn't make the catch.

More: Lions vs. Buccaneers live score, updates, highlights from NFL 'Monday Night Football' game

Buccaneers have huge NFC chance vs. Lions

Given that the 5-1 Buccaneers and the 4-2 Lions are expected to be playoff teams in 2025, this game has huge implications when it comes to playoff seeding. Yes, it is only Week 7, but given how tight things are at the top of the conference, this game could be the difference between having home field advantage through the postseason, or having to go on the road.

So, for the Buccaneers, it is crucial to get this win as it would give them the tie-breaker over Detroit and if things do pan out the way many think, Tampa Bay will be in a good spot down the road.

But in order to slay the Lions in their building, Mayfield has to get both Evans and Egbuka going against an injury-riddled Lions secondary, which in the first quarter, didn't happen.

More Buccaneers news:

• Is Emeka Egbuka injured? Why Buccaneers' WR isn't playing every snap on MNF | Sporting News
• Where is Shilo Sanders? Why Buccaneers' undrafted free agent signing isn't playing for Tampa Bay | Sporting News
• Why Browns let Baker Mayfield leave to become star Buccaneers QB | Sporting News
• Is Mike Evans playing tonight? Why Buccaneers WR is off to slow start in Week 7 | Sporting News