Bucs' Mike Evans will miss at least 3 weeks with hamstring injury

TAMPA, Fla. — Mike Evans got his 100th career touchdown reception in Monday night’s 41-31 loss to the Ravens. But it will be at least a month before he visits the end zone again.

Evans aggravated a hamstring injury and will miss the next three games. He is not expected to return until after the bye week when the Bucs visit the Giants on Nov. 24.

“He tweaked it pretty good,” coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday. “... It’s moderate, but it’s hurting pretty good right now, so we’ll probably see him after the bye week, hopefully.”

Bucs receiver Chris Godwin also dislocated his ankle toward the end of the game and will be lost for the remainder of the regular season.

“He will be undergoing surgery very soon and probably will be out for the year,” Bowles said. “There’s a chance, if we make a late playoff run, he could be back.”

Bowles said the Bucs are considering all opportunities to add a receiver, but said it was unlikely they would acquire one via trade.

The coach said he is hoping to have young receivers such as rookie Jalen McMillan, and second-year pros Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett step up when given the opportunity.

“We’re not going to ask them to be Mike and Chris,” Bowles said. “We know what they were when they made this team. We’re going to ask them to do the things that they can do. We’re going to specialize in their talents and make them play fast and make them play hard and then we’ll be okay.”

Bowles admitted the Bucs may have to lean more heavily on their running backs after losing their top two receivers. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker helped the Bucs rush for 125 yards and a touchdown.

“Those three guys are going to play a significant part of the offense,” Bowles said. “We’re going to have to be a little more creative in the way we do things. Maybe it’s one, maybe it’s two, maybe we use all three at the time.”

Bowles said the Bucs looked at options and acquiring players but didn’t feel comfortable pulling the trigger.

“We’ve looked outside the building but to get a true No. 1 in here, you got to make some massive trades and give up quite a bit. That’s not where we are at this point,” he said. “We feel comfortable with the guys in the building. ...

“We’ve got as short week; we’ve got to get ready to play Atlanta. We’re still playing for first place in the division. A lot of football left to be played. We’ve got to clean up some things and be ready.”

Also on Tuesday the Bucs waived punter Jake Camarda, who they drafted in the fourth round (No. 133 overall) in 2022.