When will Bucky Irving, Mike Evans be back? Latest injury updates on Buccaneers stars

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to have to navigate at least one more week without two of their top offensive players, running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Mike Evans.

Irving is dealing with shoulder and foot injuries that have kept him out of the lineup since Week 5. He has returned to practice in recent weeks but has yet to be cleared.

Meanwhile, Evans is on injured reserve due to a broken clavicle suffered in Week 7. After the Bucs play their Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Evans will have missed four games and will be eligible to return in Week 13.

Here's what we know about the return timelines for both players.

When is Bucky Irving coming back?

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Irving is expected to return in Week 13.

"Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving, who has not played since Week 4 vs. the Eagles due to shoulder and foot injuries, is expected to make his return next Sunday vs. the Arizona Cardinals, per sources," Schefter reported.

"Irving looked strong at practice this week and might have been able to play vs. the Rams, but the team decided to hold him out, give him one more week and have him return next Sunday."

During the week, a report surfaced saying that Irving was dealing with a mental health issue as a result of his injury, but FOX Sports' Greg Auman reports that Irving is "in a good place" now and is "close to a return to playing."

Based on Schefter's report, that return will likely come next week.

When is Mike Evans coming back?

While Evans will be eligible to be activated from injured reserve next week, chances are that will not happen.

Evans was initially given a return timeline of six to eight weeks, and we're just in the fourth week of his absence.

Knowing that, we'd expect the earliest Evans will return is Week 14, but it's also possible he won't be back until Week 16 or later.

Either way, Evans has a good chance to return before the playoffs.

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