The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered two major hits to their wide receiving corps last night with injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Godwin’s injury, a dislocated ankle will ultimately end his season and possibly his time in Tampa as he becomes a free agent this offseason. Godwin has had another great season prior to the injury hauling in 50 receptions for 576 yards and 5 touchdowns. Tampa’s Mike Evans left the game due to a hamstring re-aggravation, something he has been dealing with this season.
Mike Evans appeared to reaggravate the hamstring injury he was already playing with. He was able to walk off the field to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/ZnViE0C2r4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 22, 2024
Evans was able to haul in his 100th career touchdown prior to his early exit a major feat for the WR but his future absence could now put other records he eyes as well as the team’s overall success at risk. Hamstring injuries in wideouts are a fickle issue and one that has been an ongoing problem for years in the NFL. This season alone top receivers like AJ Brown, Adam Thielen, Greg Dortch, Tee Higgins, Nico Collins, Juju Smith-Schuster, Chris Olave and Davante Adams have all suffered the injury. With a week 11 Bye, Evans injury is expected to sideline him until week 12. With an average game miss-rate of 3.6 games this would be right on course for hamstring healing. When he returns, we would expect him to integrate back in with a 15%-25% decrease in snap percentage and drop off in productivity.
The NFL has put their money where their mouth is when it comes to hamstring injuries. Granting 4 million dollars in 2021 to research the injury but it continues to be a problem keeping elite athletes off the field. With the differences in strength and flexibility needed for the NFL it continues to be a hard balance. The NFL will look to continue their efforts and find a way to lower the number per year. Something that to this point has proven to be easier said than done.
