Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jameis Winston won’t have a full array of weapons at his disposal Sunday in his regular season debut. Wide receiver Mike Evans won’t play against the Titans, according to Tiffany Blackmon of NFL Network. Evans was listed as a game-time decision with a hamstring injury that he suffered during Week 2 of the preseason.
Bucs WR Mike Evans out Sunday vs. Titans
The dynamic deep threat won’t take the field due to a hamstring injury.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Bucs head coach Lovie Smith said after Friday’s practice Evans “looked good” in his return to the practice field, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, but apparently the second-year wideout was too hampered to take the field. Evans caught 68 passes for 1,051 yards in his rookie campaign last season.
Not having Evans gives Winston, who struggled at times during the preseason, one less weapon to work with. The No. 1 overall pick completed 23 of 47 passes for 242 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions this summer. Winston and the Bucs will be going up against the Titans and No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota in Tampa Bay on Sunday.
The Titans had the second worst run defense in the league last season, but their secondary –– led by veterans Jason McCourty at corner and Michael Griffin at safety –– was middle of the pack. If Winston is going to have a successful debut, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins will likely have to step in Evans’ place.
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