Mike Evans suspended 1 game for shoving Marshon Lattimore in Bucs vs. Saints fight

The NFL has suspended Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans for his unnecessary roughness penalty against the Saints. Evans drilled Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore after Lattimore pushed Jameis Winston, who poked him in the head.

NFL Vice President of Policy and Rules Administration Jon Runyan issued the suspension, and wrote to Evans:

“During the third quarter, after a play had ended, you struck an unsuspecting opponent in the back, knocking him to the ground. Your conduct clearly did not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional.”

Evans appealed the decision. Appeals officer James Thrash, who was jointly appointed to hear the case by the NFL and NFLPA, upheld the suspension, according to the NFL’s Vice President of Football Communications Michael Signora.

The team released a statement from Evans after Thrash’s decision was handed down.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during Sunday’s game. I saw my quarterback getting shoved and I let my emotions get the better of me,” Evans’ statement read. “My response was not appropriate and not a true indication of who I am as a player and a person. I take pride in playing the game the right way and I realize it was unprofessional and hurt my team.”

This is the penalty that Evans is being suspended for:

Evans was not ejected for the play, but did receive a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty for the hit.

According to the NFL, Evans will be eligible to return to the Buccaneers on Monday, Nov. 13 following the team’s Nov. 12 game against the New York Jets.

In eight games this season, Evans has 40 receptions for 532 yards and four touchdowns. Evans is now the second player that the Buccaneers learned they’d be without in Week 10, after it was announced that Winston would be sidelined in order to let his throwing shoulder heal.