The final game of the 2020 NFL regular season was a rollercoaster for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans.
In a 44-27 win over Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Evans became the first wide receiver to have 1,000+ receiving yards in each of his first seven seasons in the NFL. But the 27-year-old Pro Bowler also suffered a knee injury that might rob him of his first playoff appearance in his career.
Evans got hurt in the first quarter of the game while trying to catch a pass in the endzone. While cutting inside, he suddenly stopped to make the play, causing his foot to slide and his knee to bend awkwardly.
Evans immediately fell on the ground, holding his knee, and needed to be helped in order to leave the field. He didn’t return to the game.
Reportedly, Evans underwent an MRI on Sunday night, and the test showed no structural damage. However, Tampa Bay is still unsure whether he’ll be able to play in the opening playoff game against Washington on Saturday—but they remain hopeful.
“It meant the world for him to get that record and then to have an easy touchdown—the turf was really slick in the end zones, and it was just a freaky thing,” said Tampa head coach Bruce Arians after the game. “Knock on wood, we don’t think there’s any serious damage. We’ll know more in the next 24 hours.”
Evans is the Buccaneers’ leading wide receiver this season. He caught 70 passes for 1,006 receiving yards while also having a career-high 13 TD catches.
